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Marine Life | Japan

652 images Created 24 Jan 2014

Photographs of marine life from the waters around Japan

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  • This is a male Pfeiffer's Top Shell (Tegula pfeifferi) engaged in broadcast spawning. Unlike the dramatic pulse ejection of eggs by females, males of this species dribble sperm into the water a little at a time, with frequent pauses.
    tegula-pfeifferi-top-shell-broadcast...tif
  • This is a female Pfeiffer's Top Shell (Tegula pfeifferi) engaged in broadcast spawning. Having positioned herself in an elevated spot and raised herself to vertical orientation, the shell forcefully ejected clusters of green eggs three to four times in a row. She then reloaded and repeated for two additional rounds.
    tegula-pfeifferi-top-shell-broadcast...tif
  • Head-on view of a variegated lizardifsh (Synodus variegatus)
    synodus-variegatus-lizardfish-japan-...tif
  • This is a banded blenny (Mimoblennius atrocinctus) that had just darted out of its home at lightning speed to grab a meal, which appears to be molted cirri (legs) of a barnacle or similar animal.
    mimoblennius-atrocinctus-blenny-eati...tif
  • This is a Japanese mitten lobster (Parribacus japonicus) patrolling the sea bed at night.
    parribacus-japonicus-mitten-lobster-...tif
  • This is a pair of keyhole angelfish (Centropyge tibicen) just prior to spawning. The male is nudging the female, encouraging her to swim up into the water column to spawn.
    centropyge-tibicen-angelfish-spawnin...tif
  • This is a pair of pharoah cuttlefish (Acanthosepion pharaonis), female in the foreground. Having copulated with the male, the female is preparing an egg via internal fertilization, which she will then deposit under a nearby rock. The male in the background stands guard to ward off other males that might approach.
    acanthosepion-pharaonis-cuttlefish-r...tif
  • This is a Japanese mitten lobster (Parribacus japonicus) peeking out from a crevice in the rock and coral substrate just before emerging to forage at night.
    parribacus-japonicus-mitten-lobster-...tif
  • Shown here is a pair of roundbelly cowfishes (Lactoria diaphana) spawning, with the male in the foreground and the female facing away.
    lactoria-diaphana-spawning-roundbell...tif
  • Shown here is a male roundbelly cowfish (Lactoria diaphana) nipping a female and nudging her upward just prior to spawning.
    lactoria-diaphana-spawning-roundbell...tif
  • This is a close-up view of leaf coral (Pavona decussata) spawning, with streams of sperm being sent into the water column in synchrony with gametes from other nearby colonies of the hard coral.
    pavona-deccusata-leaf-coral-spawning...tif
  • This is a colony of leaf coral (Pavona decussata) spawning, with streams of sperm being sent into the water column in synchrony with gametes from other nearby colonies of the hard coral.
    pavona-deccusata-leaf-coral-spawning...tif
  • The visible portion of Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus) comprises modified<br />
prostomial palps (mouth appendages) that are used by the animals for feeding and breathing. These polychaete worms also defecate from central tube within these spiral appendanges, as shown here. This particular worm has made a home in a thin wedge of Pavona decussata leaf coral.
    spirobranchus-giganteus-polychaete-w...jpg
  • This is a starry night octopus (Callistoctopus luteus) swimming over a field of Pavona decussata leaf coral at night. The octopus was searching the folds of coral for prey.
    callistoctopus-luteus-starry-night-o...tif
  • This is a starry night octopus (Callistoctopus luteus) hunting at night. It is searching the folds of Pavona decussata leaf coral for prey.
    callistoctopus-luetus-starry-night-o...tif
  • These variegated lizardfish (Synodus variegatus) have come together in preparation for spawning. There were dozens in the area. Spawning takes place in the evening, with a female rushing towarding the surface, males following.
    synodus-variegatus-lizardfish-japan-...tif
  • This is a female pin cushion star (Culcita novaeguineae) engaged in spawning. The starfish has climbed to the top of the reef to release eggs, visible as a cloud of tiny white dots surrounding the animal.
    culcita-novaeguineae-cushion-star-sp...tif
  • This is a Cavolinia uncinata, a species of small pelagic mollusk that is found around the world. Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of individuals or more appeared for several days in southern Japan, drifting with currents. As pictured here, the snails use nets of mucus to capture food.
    cavolinia-uncinata-sea-butterfly-jap...tif
  • This is a Cavolinia uncinata, a species of small pelagic mollusk that is found around the world. Tens, perhaps hundreds of thousands of individuals or more appeared for several days in southern Japan, drifting with currents. As pictured here, the snails use nets of mucus to forage for food.
    cavolinia-uncinata-sea-butterfly-jap...tif
  • This is a Dendronephthya soft coral colony growing atop a rock, where currents provide ample nutrient flow. The light in the background is from a scuba diver.
    dendronephthya-soft-coral-japan-2022...tif
  • This is a female broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) depositing eggs among branches of table coral (Acropora sp.) shortly after mating.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-depositin...tif
  • This is a pair of longfin batfishes (Platax teira) patrolling the coral reef in southern Japan.
    platax-teira-longfin-batfish-japan-2...tif
  • This is a colony of Lobophyllia corymbosa hard coral engaged in spawning. Hard corals like this release both eggs and sperm at the same time, as seen here.
    lobophyllia-corymbosa-hard-coral-spa...tif
  • This is a female Sepia latimanus broadclub cuttlefish preparing to deposit eggs into the Acropora coral. Females adopt this characteristic scrunched up face prior to depositing eggs. The male that has just mated with her is standing guard in the background to keep other males away.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-courtship...tif
  • This is a male broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) engaging in courtship. He is stroking the female with his tentacles. If she accepts, they will mate and she will deposit eggs while the male maintains vigil to warn off other males.
    sepia-latimanus-broadclub-cuttlefish...tif
  • Shown here is a male Sepia latimanus cuttlefish (right) approaching a female (left) in order to attempt to mate. The male has split his body pattern and coloration into two distinct halves for courtship. The half facing the female is a subdued whitish tone, which presumably communicates calm, soothing intent. The other half is normal pattern, possibly to ward off other males.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-courtship...tif
  • This is a pair of broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) mating. Having succeeded in gaining the female's acceptance, the male on the right has wrapped his arms around the female's head. He is in the process of deliverying a package of sperm with his hectocotylus (modified left tentacle). The male typically stays with the female while she deposits fertilized eggs, to guard against copulation by other males.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-mating-ja...tif
  • Pictured here are two male broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) engaged in a conflict. The bold striped pattern signals aggression. The males were fighting to establish dominance in the area around this large Acropora coral colony, where multiple females had gathered for spawning.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-males-fig...tif
  • This is a pair of tomato hinds (Cephalopholis sonnerati). The fish looking toward the camera is male. The fish viewed side-on is female, with a belly full of eggs. When I took this photograph, the time for these fish to spawn was approaching.
    cephalopholis-sonnerati-male-female-...tif
  • This is a male leopard sea cucumber (Bohadschia argus) engaged in broadcast spawning. Having raised itself above the substrate, the sea cucumber sent streams of sperm into the water.
    bohadschia-argus-sea-cucumber-spawni...tif
  • This is a cute juvenile Valentin's sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster valentini).
    canthigaster-valentini-sharpose-puff...tif
  • This is a female banded sharpnose puffer (Canthigaster coronata) tending to her eggs after spawning. With fertilization completed, the male has departed. The female remains for some time to clean and aerate the eggs that she has affixed to the substrate.
    canthigaster-coronata-banded-sharpno...tif
  • This is a pair of banded sharpnose puffers (Canthigaster coronata) spawning. The female is the foreground, male in the rear. Prior to spawning, the female devotes considerable time to selecting and preparing a suitable location while the male follows and looks on. After spawning takes place, the male departs. The female remains for some time to clean and aerate the eggs.
    canthigaster-coronata-banded-sharpno...tif
  • This is a pair of banded sharpnose puffers (Canthigaster coronata) getting ready to spawn. The female is the foreground, male in the rear. Prior to spawning, the female devotes considerable time to selecting and preparing a suitable location while the male follows and looks on. After spawning takes place, the male departs. The female remains for some time to clean and aerate the eggs.
    canthigaster-coronata-banded-sharpno...tif
  • These two Gymnothorax meleagris moray eels engaged in an extended battle, jaws locked, twisting and spinning within the confines of a narrow crevice among the rocks. It is unclear what the fight was about. In the end, they parted in the blink of an eye, with neither occupying the hole.
    gymnothorax-meleagris-moray-eels-fig...tif
  • This is a large male broadclub cuttlefish hovering above a coral reef during the reproductive season. Multiple males like this were engaged in competition for females that were ready to mate and deposit eggs.
    sepia-latimanus-broadclub-cuttlefish...tif
  • This is an inquisitive fringed blenny (Chirolophis japonicus) staring directly into the camera lens. There is a parasite attached behind the prominent eye. This species is found in the Northwest Pacific.
    chirolophis-japonicus-fringed-blenny...tif
  • This is a pair of Pagurus brachiomastus hermit crabs. The male on the right is holding on to the female on the left. During the reproductive season, males grasp females in this manner. Other males approach to challenge, often resulting in a protracted tussle, with the victorious male claiming the female.
    pagurus-brachiomastus-hermit-crab-re...tif
  • This is a female Radulinopsis taranetzi sculpin tending to her clutch of eggs. Females of this species extend their mouths into the wide shape pictured here to suck or vacuum water around the eggs in order to aerate them and keep them clean and healthy. When the time comes, vigorous vacuuming helps the juveniles to hatch. The eggs pictured here are well-developed, only a few days from hatching.
    radulinopsis-taranetzi-sculpin-nurtu...tif
  • Pictured here are fresh eggs of a six-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus hexagrammus), a fish that is found in the Northwest Pacific. The eggs are around 3mm in size.
    ernogrammus-hexagrammus-eggs-six-lin...tif
  • This is the face of a mature male Agonomalus proboscidalis fish, with a blue bat seastar (Patiria pectinifera) in the background. This species is easily recognized by the distinctive elongated proboscis. It is native to the cold polar waters of the northwest Pacific.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • This is a female Lottia emydia limpet sending a stream of eggs into the water during spawning. These sea snails aggregate in order to spawn en masse. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
  • This is a cluster of Lottia emydia limpets gathered for group spawning. One is just starting to lift itself up from the rock to spawn. Above these limpets is a cloud of eggs released by nearby female limpets. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
  • This is a female Lottia emydia limpet sending a stream of eggs into the water during spawning. These sea snails aggregate in order to spawn en masse. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
  • This is a female Lottia emydia limpet sending a stream of eggs into the water during spawning. These sea snails aggregate in order to spawn en masse. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    lottia-emydia-limpet-spawning-japan-...tif
  • This is a pair of Radulinopsis taranetzi sculpins copulating, with the male on top. Internal fertilization takes place in this species, with the female depositing her clutch of eggs after choosing a suitable location, then covering them with sand and rubble. Females of this species use their wide mouths to suck water over the eggs in order to aerate them.
    radulinopsis-taranetzi-sculpins-copu...tif
  • This is a pair of Radulinopsis taranetzi sculpins preparing to copulate, with the male on top. Internal fertilization takes place in this species, with the female depositing her clutch of eggs after choosing a suitable location, then covering them with sand and rubble. Females of this species use their wide mouths to suck water over the eggs in order to aerate them.
    radulinopsis-taranetzi-sculpins-copu...tif
  • This is a close-up view of a female Radulinopsis derjavini sculpin, showing her specialized wide-mouth, which is used to aerate developing eggs by sucking water over and around them. This female had just finished hatching a clutch of eggs. Photographed at two times life-size magnification.
    radulinopsis-derjavini-sculpin-japan...tif
  • This is a female Radulinopsis derjavini sculpin hatching her clutch of eggs by agitating them with her mouth. Females of this genus tend to their eggs, using their specialized mouths to suck or vacuum water across the developing juveniles to aerate them. In other sculpin genuses, males take responsibility for nurturing eggs.
    radulinopsis-derjavini-sculpin-eggs-...tif
  • This is a female Radulinopsis derjavini sculpin hatching her clutch of eggs by agitating them with her mouth. Females of this genus tend to their eggs, using their specialized mouths to suck or vacuum water across the developing juveniles to aerate them. In other sculpin genuses, males take responsibility for nurturing eggs.
    radulinopsis-derjavini-sculpin-eggs-...tif
  • This is a male intermediate sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) commencing the process of broadcast spawning. On this particular day, only a few urchins were spawning.
    strongylocentrotus-intermedius-urchi...tif
  • This is a top-down view of a male intermediate sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) commencing the process of broadcast spawning.
    strongylocentrotus-intermedius-urch...tif
  • This is a mature Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker swimming over sand in shallow water. As can be seen here, these fish are well camouflaged.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...tif
  • This is a mature Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker viewed head-on. The fish's ability to control each eye independently is apparent.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...tif
  • This is a mature Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker. From this angle, the disk that comprises the fish's modified pelvic fins is visible. This is the sucker that lumpsuckers use to adhere to rocks and other surfaces.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...tif
  • This is a mature Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker viewed from the side. The fish wraps its caudal fin around its body in this fashion while swimming.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...tif
  • This scenes depicts the split-second just before a Okhotsk Atka Mackerel (Pleurogrammus azonus) swallowed a swimming Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker. The mackerel regurgitated the little fish moments later. Lumpsuckers apparently do not taste good.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-pleurogrammu...tif
  • This is a juvenile Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker, about 3mm in size. It was perched on the inner surface of the shell of a dead bivalve. Photographed at a magnification of 4x life-size.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...tif
  • This is a mature male Barbed Hunchback Poacher (Agonomalus proboscidalis), which is native to the cold polar waters of the northwest Pacific.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • This is a mature male Barbed Hunchback Poacher (Agonomalus proboscidalis), which is native to the cold polar waters of the northwest Pacific.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • Pictured here are eggs of a seven-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus zhirmunskii), with developing embryos visible inside. This species is found in the Northwest Pacific. The eggs are around 3mm in size, excluding the signature spikes.
    ernogrammus-zhirmunskii-prickleback-...tif
  • This is a juvenile barbed hunchback poacher (Agonomalus proboscidalis) sitting on a sandy bottom in shallow water. Photographed at two times life-size magnification.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • This is a female Radulinopsis taranetzi sculpin carrying a bellyful of fertilized eggs. She is in the process of choosing a place to deposit the eggs, which she will then cover with sand and rubble. Females of this species use their wide mouths to suck water over the eggs in order to aerate them and care for the eggs until they mature and hatch.
    radulinopsis-taranetzi-sculpin-pregn...tif
  • Shown here are eggs of an Icelinus pietschi sculpin, a species found in the Northwest Pacific. Clearly visible are the eyes and bodies of the developing embryos. The eggs are around 3mm in size.
    icelinus-pietschi-sculpin-embryos-eg...tif
  • This is a juvenile barbed hunchback poacher (Agonomalus proboscidalis) swimming in shallow water.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • Pictured here are freshly deposited eggs of a seven-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus zhirmunskii). This species is found in the Northwest Pacific. The eggs are around 3mm in size, excluding the signature spikes.
    ernogrammus-zhirmunskii-prickleback-...tif
  • This is a juvenile Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker, about 3mm in size. sitting on a blue bat seastar (Patiria pectinifera).
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of a Bero elegans sculpin. One egg on the left side of the photo appears not to have developed.
    bero-elegans-scuplin-embryos-eggs-ja...tif
  • This is a juvenile Eumicrotremus awae lumpsucker, about 5mm in size, pictured a few days after birth. These fish are known as dango-uo in Japanese. The juveniles are popular with scuba divers.
    eumicrotremus-awae-juvenile-japan-20...tif
  • This is an egg mass of a polychaete worm in the family Lumbrineridae. A large number of these appeared overnight one prior to full moon. The egg mass measures about 1.5cm.
    lumbrineridae-polychaete-worm-eggs-j...tif
  • This is an egg mass of a polychaete worm in the family Lumbrineridae. A large number of these appeared overnight one prior to full moon. The egg mass measures about 1.5cm.
    lumbrineridae-polychaete-worm-eggs-j...tif
  • These are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), 3mm to 4mm in size. Eggs molt during the development, as can be seen here. The stage of development is perhaps four to six weeks after spawning took place.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) juveniles clustering together.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) juveniles. Juveniles like this sometimes climb on top of and grapple with one another when they encounter each other.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) juveniles. One has commenced borrowing into the substrate. The other had flipped upside-down, as the juveniles seem to do with reasonable frequency.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are two newly hatched endangered juvenile Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) juveniles emerging from the ocean bottom.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • The birth of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) can be a chaotic process. The juveniles are small, in the range of 5mm to 7mm. They are not agile or adept swimmers. As they crawl out of the muck, many are pushed, pulled and spun by waves and currents. Some get entangled among themselves.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a juvenile Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) climbing up and out of the substrate where it had just hatched with dozens of siblings. When spawning takes place, eggs are deposited, fertilized and buried. Upon hatching, the young horseshoe crabs need to burrow up through 10-20cm of sand, mud and muck.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This scene depicts the birth of juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus). During spawning, an adult female deposits clusters of dozens of eggs, which are fertilized by a male that is attached to the female during the spawning season. The gestation period is approximately two months. Juveniles emerge at the same time, sometimes one by one, sometimes in groups like this.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • The birth of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) can be a chaotic process. The juveniles are small, in the range of 5mm to 7mm. They are not agile or adept swimmers. As they crawl out of the muck, many are pushed, pulled and spun by waves and currents. Some get entangled among themselves. And on occasion, bubbles of air released from the substrate knock them flat on their backs.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This scene depicts the birth of juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus). During spawning, an adult female deposits clusters of dozens of eggs, which are fertilized by a male that is attached to the female during the spawning season. The gestation period is approximately two months. Juveniles emerge at the same time, sometimes individually, sometimes in groups.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) setting forth into the world. Measuring about 7mm, this little crustacean and siblings burst forth from their nest in a frenzy of activity approximately two months after spawning by the adults.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) swimming into the water column after birth. Measuring about 7mm, this little crustacean and siblings burst forth from their nest in a frenzy of activity approximately two months after spawning by the adults.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a newly hatched endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), around 7mm in size. Juveniles emerge fully formed and functional.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a newly hatched endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), around 7mm in size. Juveniles emerge fully formed and functional. The animal's feet are visible protruding from the rear of the carapace.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a newly hatched endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), around 7mm in size. Juveniles emerge fully formed and functional.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), about 5mm in diameter. The membranes of some eggs have started to dissolve, indicating that they are on the cusp of hatching, approximately two months after the eggs were deposited.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), about 5mm in diameter. The membranes of some eggs have started to dissolve, indicating that they are on the cusp of hatching, approximately two months after the eggs were deposited.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • There are eggs of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), between 2mm and 3mm in diameter. The eggs are were deposited in shallow gravel and mud about a month prior to this photograph. As the eggs develop, they grow to around 5mm in diameter and the membranes become transparent, revealing the developing embryos inside.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus). These eggs are on the cusp of hatching, approximately two months after they were deposited. The embryos are mobile inside the eggs, moving their legs and turning in circles. By this stage, the eggs are about 5mm in diameter.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus). These eggs are on the cusp of hatching, approximately two months after they were deposited. The embryos are mobile inside the eggs, paddling with their legs and turning in circles. By this stage, the eggs are about 5mm in diameter.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a male spotty goby (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) sending one of his babies into the world. Females of this species deposit eggs into the burrows of males, which fertilize and care for the developing young. When juveniles are mature, the males take the young fish into their mouths, dart out of their burrows and spit the babies into the water, sometimes one at a time, sometimes several at once. The action is rapid, the direction and timing of launching babies unpredictable. When the males send the babies out like this, their bodies usually lose the bright coloration of breeding season, becoming relatively drab, though not quite as dull as normal.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This a male spotty goby's (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) normal drab appearance, without the brilliant yellow, blue and orange colors associated with courtship and spawning. This dull appearance and pattern help the fish to blend into the reef when it leaves its burrow to look for food, as pictured here.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • Pictured here is a pair of spotty blennies (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) engaged in spawning. When a female has finished depositing eggs, as pictured here, the male wants her to leave immediately. He hovers, prods, even strikes the female to force her out. He then takes responsibility for the eggs, but also continues to court other females in order to spawn again.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This is what a male spotty goby (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) looks like during spawning. The female is inside the burrow depositing eggs. The male had lowered himself partially into the burrow to fertilize the eggs. The male's fins flare and his movements are agitated during this process.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This is the moment when a male spotty goby (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) sent one of his babies into the world. Females of this species deposit eggs into the burrows of males, which fertilize and care for the developing young. When juveniles are mature, the males take the young fish into their mouths, dart out of their burrows and spit the babies into the water, sometimes one at a time, sometimes several at once. The action is rapid, the direction and timing of launching babies unpredictable. Such behavior is perhaps necessary to minimize predation. This male was about 4cm in length.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This male Laiphognathus multimaculatus Spotty Blenny is looking out from his home in the coral reef during breeding season. He is searching for females that are ready to spawn. Normally dull and drab in color, this male had donned a bright yellow, blue and orange pattern for this purpose. When a female approaches, he performs an elaborate, somewhat comical dance to entice her.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • Normally pale in color, this male Laiphognathus multimaculatus Spotty Blenny is displaying the characteristic yellow, blue and orange colors and patterns used to court females during breeding season. When an interested female comes close, he will perform a dance in front of his burrow to entice her to deposit eggs inside.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This is a top-down view from the dorsal side of a male spotty blenny (Laiphognathus multimaculatus). This male was looking out from his burrow in the early morning, searching for females to court during the breeding season. From this perspective, the fish's ability to control each eye in an independent manner is apparent.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • These spotty blennies (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) have just finished spawning. The female has emerged from the male's burrow after depositing all of her eggs. At this juncture, the male was attempting to kick the female out by hovering, prodding and even hitting her. The sooner he could force her to depart, the sooner the male could court other females and spawn again.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
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Tony Wu Underwater Photography

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