Banggai Cardinalfish
ADDPMP225
Female Banggai cardinalfish produce a relatively small clutch, consisting of no more than 90 eggs that are 2–3 mm in diameter. Once about three-fourths of the egg mass protrudes from the female, the male takes the eggs from her. This process is immediate, taking no more than 2 seconds.Eggs may be lost in the process if the male drops them, as they are usually immediately consumed by other fish in the area. Males also have the ability to detect dead eggs and expel them from their mouths. The male broods the eggs in his mouth up to 30 days, during which he does not feed. After spawning, the female stays with the brooding male for at least a few days. Females aggressively defend their territory by immediately chasing any intruders that approach the brooding males. They also exhibit a relaxed form of ‘side-by-side trembling’, and confine the males to a small space













































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































