Diodon holocanthus Courtship | Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Three porcupine pufferfish (Diodon holocanthus) pursuing a female. There were originally five males in pursuit when I first came across this group. The courtship process lasts for several hours, culminating when only one or two males remain. This happened in the evening, around 20:00 hours. The female swam to deep water, around 23m, then rushed for the surface at high speed with the males in pursuit. She released a cloud of eggs at 12m, and the males followed with release of sperm. The courtship process is energetic, with the males chasing and biting the female. The female hid from the males on several occasions, forcing them to find her.

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Filename: Diodon-holocanthus-porcupinefish-courtship-mating-reproduction-lembeh-strait-indonesia-201002-2613.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 4911x3274 / 46.0MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Bony Fish Porcupinefish Animalia Chordata Osteichthyes Actinopterygii Tetraodontiformes Diodontidae Diodon holocanthus Long-spine Porcupinefish Porcupine Pufferfish Porcupinefish Pacific Indonesia North Sulawesi Celebes Sea Sulawesi Sea Lembeh Strait TK3 Courtship Mating Reproduction Muck Diving
Contained in galleries: Marine Life Reproduction, Fish Photos, Marine Life | North Sulawesi

Three porcupine pufferfish (Diodon holocanthus) pursuing a female. There were originally five males in pursuit when I first came across this group. The courtship process lasts for several hours, culminating when only one or two males remain. This happened in the evening, around 20:00 hours. The female swam to deep water, around 23m, then rushed for the surface at high speed with the males in pursuit. She released a cloud of eggs at 12m, and the males followed with release of sperm. The courtship process is energetic, with the males chasing and biting the female. The female hid from the males on several occasions, forcing them to find her.