Corythoichthys haematopterus Pipefish Reproduction

Shown here is a male messmate pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) together with two females. In the lead-up to spawning, females seek males to brood and care for eggs. Though pair bonds are strong and said to be permanent, competition for eligible males sometimes happens, as shown here. The pipefish in the foreground and the one lower down are females. The one in the background is the male. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.

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Filename: corythoichthys-haematopterus-pipefish-spawning-202405-0125.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 6662x4441 / 173.3MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Bony Fish Pipefish Animalia Chordata Osteichthyes Teleostei Syngnathiformes Syngnathidae Corythoichthys haematopterus Ishi-youji Messmate Pipefish Reeftop Pipefish Courtship Reproduction Spawning Pacific Japan Kagoshima Prefecture
Contained in galleries: Marine Life | Japan, Marine Life Reproduction, Fish Photos

Shown here is a male messmate pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) together with two females. In the lead-up to spawning, females seek males to brood and care for eggs. Though pair bonds are strong and said to be permanent, competition for eligible males sometimes happens, as shown here. The pipefish in the foreground and the one lower down are females. The one in the background is the male. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.