Spawning migrations in the monogamous butterflyfish,Chaetodon trifasciatus
Abstract
Spawning and related behavior of a monogamous butterflyfish,Chaetodon trifasciatus, were observed at Kuroshima Island, Okinawa, Japan. Each heterosexual pair defended a feeding territory in the daytime. Spawning occurred at dusk on the days around full or new moon in the daytime. Spawning occurred at dusk on the days around full or new moon in the vicinity of offshore tidal currents. Spawning migration to such sites occurred in pairs, the feeding territories of which were located in areas of inshore currents. In the evening each pair established a small temporary territory, which they spawned adjacent to and slept within until the next morning. The distribution of sleeping sites as well as tidal current directions may determine the spawning sites of this butterflyfish.
- Publication:
-
Ichthyological Research
- Pub Date:
- May 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF02678695
- Bibcode:
- 1997IchtR..44..177Y
- Keywords:
-
- Coral reef fish;
- Chaetodontidae;
- semi-lunar spawning;
- mating system;
- territoriality