Female Zoarchias major Eelpout Dislodging Male from Hole

This is a female Zoarchias major eelpout attempting to dislodge a male from a hole in the reef. Females sometimes approach males and curl up next to them, rub against their bodies. This has been misinterpreted as behavior suggesting affection, in the courtship context. Males do the same to females as well. In reality, one fish is attempting to dislodge the other from a prime piece of real estate. Sometimes the intruder succeeds, sometimes not. Image 3 of 6 in a sequence illustrating this behavior.

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Filename: zoarchias-major-female-pulling-male-japan-201806-0630.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 4236x2824 / 34.3MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Bony Fish Eelpout Animalia Chordata Osteichthyes Actinopterygii Perciformes Zoarcidae Neozoarcinae Zoarchias major Ookazunagi オオカズナギ Fighting Reproduction Pacific Japan Yamaguchi Prefecture
Contained in galleries: Marine Life | Japan, Wide-Angle Macro, Fish Photos

This is a female Zoarchias major eelpout attempting to dislodge a male from a hole in the reef. Females sometimes approach males and curl up next to them, rub against their bodies. This has been misinterpreted as behavior suggesting affection, in the courtship context. Males do the same to females as well. In reality, one fish is attempting to dislodge the other from a prime piece of real estate. Sometimes the intruder succeeds, sometimes not. Image 3 of 6 in a sequence illustrating this behavior.