Liparis tanakae Snailfish Reproduction

This is a male Liparis tanakae snailfish protecting his eggs. Males of this species spawn with as many females as possible. The males do not eat during reproductive season. The energy needed to protect eggs and fend off rivals means males have limited time controlling favored spawning spots. Generally after 10 days to two weeks, males die or are displaced by rivals, meaning eggs in a given location may be from more than one male. These snailfish live for only one year, usually found between 50m to 120m. Photographed in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

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Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 7832x5221 / 236.4MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Bony Fish Snailfish Animalia Chordata Osteichthyes Teleostei Perciformes Liparidae Liparis tanakae Tanaka's Snailfish Kusauo Eggs Reproduction Pacific Japan Yamaguchi Prefecture
Contained in galleries: Marine Life Reproduction, Fish Photos, Marine Life | Japan

This is a male Liparis tanakae snailfish protecting his eggs. Males of this species spawn with as many females as possible. The males do not eat during reproductive season. The energy needed to protect eggs and fend off rivals means males have limited time controlling favored spawning spots. Generally after 10 days to two weeks, males die or are displaced by rivals, meaning eggs in a given location may be from more than one male. These snailfish live for only one year, usually found between 50m to 120m. Photographed in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.