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  • After a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) deposits eggs on eelgrass as shown here, sand and other debris accumulate and adhere to the eggs quickly. Within a short time, egg clusters become opaque. This may serve to protect the eggs. The eggs pictured here were fresh, deposited less than an hour before. Photographed at two times life-size magnification.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-eggs-japan-2021...tif
  • Pictured here is a developing embryo inside of one of the unusually shaped eggs of a seven-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus zhirmunskii), which is a small fish found in the Northwest Pacific and Sea of Japan. The egg is around 2mm to 3mm in size, photographed here at a magnification of four times life-size. The eggs are in a cluster, with each egg interlocked with others around it. Other eggs and fish embyros are visible in the background.
    ernogrammus-zhirmunskii-eggs-seven-l...tif
  • This is a 40cm mature male smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) watching over a brood of eggs. This species resides in deep water, down to about 1700m. During the winter to spring breeding season, mature fish come up to shallow water. After fertilizing a brood of eggs laid by a female fish, the male watches over and protects the developing young. Adult fish die during the breeding season, the female after laying eggs, the male once the juveniles have hatched. Following extended observation, I realized that the eggs in this photo were not viable. They had not been fertilized and were therefore never going to produce juveniles. The male, unaware of this fact, was destined continue to protect the infertile eggs, weakening day by day, eventually succumbing to death.
    aptocyclus-ventricosus-smooth-lumpsu...tif
  • This is a male spotty-bellied greenling (Hexagrammos agrammus) protecting several clutches of eggs resulting from spawning with multiple females. During the autumn/ winter breeding season, males keeps watch over developing embryos until they hatch. At the same time, males actively court females that approach, swimming out to greet them and lead them back to carefully prepared spawning areas like the one pictured here. The eyes of developing fish larvae are visible in many of the eggs here, meaning they are close to hatching. Freshly spawned eggs were attached to the opposite side of this cluster. Successful males like this one often attend to a number of egg clusters at different stages of development, each from separate females.
    hexagrammos-agrammus-spotty-bellied-...tif
  • This is a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) depositing eggs on a blade of eelgrass (Zostera marina). The white mass to the left of the fresh eggs are eggs that were deposited earlier, not necessarily by this female. Fine grains of sand and other debris have covered the older eggs. The females seem to prefer certain blades of eelgrass. It is common to see two or more clutches on a single blade of eelgrass and none on others.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-female-depositi...tif
  • This is a male striped poison-fang blenny mimic (Petroscirtes breviceps) watching over multiple batches of eggs that are at different stages of development. The eggs are adhered to the inside of the bivalve shell, with the eyes of many of the developing fish larvae visible. This male will have mated with several different females at various times, with each female depositing eggs to the inner surface of the shell. The male guards the eggs until they hatch. Pictured here, the male has just opened his mouth for a split-second.
    petroscirtes-breviceps-guarding-eggs...tif
  • Pictured here are several clusters of Korean sandlance (Hypoptychus dybowskii) eggs, with developing embryos becoming visible in some of the eggs. Each egg is about 2mm in size. These small fish, growing up to 10cm in length, produce a sticky secretion in their kidneys that they use to adhere eggs to sargassum (Sargassum horneri (Turner) C.Agardh) as shown here.
    hypoptychus-dybowskii-eggs-korean-sa...tif
  • This is a female Discoplax hirtipes terrestrial crab disseminating her brood of fertilized eggs into shallow water during full moon. The crab waited on land at Ngeremdiu Beach for the evening high tide. She entered the water as the tide turned to go out and released her eggs. Once she committed to releasing eggs, it was only a matter of seconds before she completed her task and headed back to the safety of her underground burrow. See separate photograph of the crab eggs in the water.
    female-land-crab-releasing-eggs-pala...tif
  • These are the unusually shaped eggs of a seven-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus zhirmunskii), a small fish found in the Northwest Pacific and Sea of Japan. Each egg is around 2mm to 3mm in size, photographed here at a magnification of four times life-size. The eggs that have been successfully fertilized are distinguishable by the developing embryos. The egg at the lower left appears to be non-viable.
    ernogrammus-zhirmunskii-eggs-seven-l...tif
  • This is a female Chirolophis japonicus fringed blenny, which is a prickleback, guarding its eggs. This fish tends to find deep crevices and holes and lay its eggs in the back of its chosen hideaway. The eggs are the white mass visible in the background. On average, the eggs require around 40 days to mature and hatch. This individual is infested with parasites (Elaphognathia discolor). There are at least 36 visible from this angle, the most prominent of which is visible below and forward from the fish’s right eye.
    chirolophis-japonicus-fringed-blenny...tif
  • This is a female Chirolophis japonicus fringed blenny, which is a prickleback, guarding its eggs. This fish tends to find deep crevices and holes and lay its eggs in the back of its chosen hideaway. The eggs are the white mass visible in the background. On average, the eggs require around 40 days to mature and hatch.
    chirolophis-japonicus-fringed-blenny...tif
  • Unidentified aeolid nudibranchs (Favorinus sp.) that appear to be feeding on eggs in a bubble-like egg case. The egg case may be that of a polychaete worm, or possibly a headshield slug of bubble snail (Cephalaspidea). See http://www.tonywublog.com/journal/aeolid-nudibranchs-eating-eggs-of-polychaete-worms for a discussion of this topic. Photographed in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
    favorinus-aeolid-nudibranch-eating-p...tif
  • This is a close-up view of the egg mass of a giant cuskeel (Spectrunculus grandis). Each egg is less than 2mm in size. Pigmentation is black. This is a bathydemersal species, living on the ocean floor at depths of 1000m to 6000m. These eggs were found floating at the ocean surface. See also photograph of entire egg mass. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    spectrunculus-grandis-giant-cuskeel-...tif
  • This is a Korean sandlace (Hypoptychus dybowskii) male tending to fresh eggs which multiple females have deposited on sargassum (Sargassum horneri (Turner) C.Agardh). Each egg is a few millimeters in size. Korean sandlances grow up to 10cm in length. They produce a sticky secretion in their kidneys that they use to adhere eggs to sargassum.
    hypoptychus-dybowskii-eggs-korean-sa...tif
  • Shown here are freshly spawned Korean sandlace (Hypoptychus dybowskii) eggs attached to sargassum (Sargassum horneri (Turner) C.Agardh). Each egg is a few millimeters in size. Korean sandlances grow up to 10cm in length. They produce a sticky secretion in their kidneys that they use to adhere eggs to sargassum.
    hypoptychus-dybowskii-eggs-korean-sa...tif
  • These are developing eggs of fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) fish, each egg measuring around 3mm. The juvenile fish are developed enough that their spinal cords and eyes are clearly visible. At this stage, the unhatched fish are mobile, twisting and turning inside their eggs from time to time. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-developing-embryo...tif
  • This is a Korean sandlace (Hypoptychus dybowskii) male tending to fresh eggs which a female has deposited on sargassum (Sargassum horneri (Turner) C.Agardh). Each egg is a few millimeters in size. Korean sandlances grow up to 10cm in length. They produce a sticky secretion in their kidneys that they use to adhere eggs to sargassum.
    hypoptychus-dybowskii-eggs-korean-sa...tif
  • Close-up view of multi-colored fat greenling eggs (Hexagrammos otakii). Each egg is about 3mm in size. Eggs of this species may vary in hue, though there seems to be no particular effect on the development of embryos.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-egg...tif
  • This is a male Nihon grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus nagaakii) watching over a clutch of eggs. On average, the eggs require about 60 days at 10 degrees Celsius to mature. The yellow-colored egg is one that was not successfully fertilized. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture in northeast Japan.
    rhamphocottus-nagaakii-nihon-grunt-s...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
  • 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
  • This is a close-up view taken at four times life-size magnification of developing elongated sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) eggs. The eye of a well-developed embryo is visible, as is an eye that is just beginning to take form in another egg. The egg that is entirely white is unviable, perhaps because it was not properly fertilized. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...tif
  • This is a 40cm male elkhorn sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) protecting his yellow eggs, which are adhered to the surface of the large rock above him. Clutches of eggs are in various stages of development. This species reproduces via internal gametic association, meaning copulation takes place, but fertilization only occurs when females spawn the eggs and contact with seawater happens. The Japanese name is Niji-kajika. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...tif
  • This is a male elkhorn sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) watching over a carpet of bright yellow eggs. This fish and his eggs were in a pocket hidden among rocks, accessible only via a narrow crevice of about 10cm in height. This species reproduces via internal gametic association, meaning copulation takes place, but fertilization only occurs when females spawn the eggs and contact with seawater happens. The Japanese name is Niji-kajika. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...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 attending to a clutch of eggs that are on the brink of hatching. Females of this species extend their mouths to suck on the eggs in order to clean and aerate them. The eggs hatched about 15 minutes after this photo was taken.
    radulinopsis-derjavini-sculpin-with-...tif
  • Pictured here is a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) depositing eggs on a blade of eelgrass (Zostera marina). During reproductive season, females receive spermatophores from multiple males (white strands visible) and deposit eggs multiple times. Adults die at the end of the reproductive period. Eggs hatch and mature within a few months, reproducing again to repeat the cycle. Two reproductive cycles take place each year.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-female-depositi...tif
  • This is a male fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) watching over developing eggs. The most prominent in this image are purple, though there were other eggs of varying color, each spawned by a different female. These fish exhibit a range of personalities. This male was highly attentive to his eggs, which were in excellent condition as a result.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-pro...tif
  • This is a male fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) watching over developing eggs. The most prominent in this image are purple, though there were other eggs of varying color, each spawned by a different female. These fish exhibit a range of personalities. This male was highly attentive to his eggs, which were in excellent condition as a result.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-pro...tif
  • This is a close-up view, photographed at 4x life-size, of newly spawned eggs of Hexagrammos otakii, known as fat greenlings or ainame in Japanese. Males of this species protect the eggs, spawning with as many females as possible. Clutches of eggs vary in color, from blues and purples to yellows, oranges and white.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-egg...tif
  • In the foreground of this image are several clutches of eggs, being watched over by the fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) male in the background. The purple eggs in the middle, however, belong to an all-female hybrid species (Hexagrammos octogrammus and H. otakii) that produces all-female clones, using males of H. otakii to protect its eggs. There is no genetic benefit to the male. This is an example of hemiclonal reproduction.
    hexagrammos-otakii-protecting-hybrid...tif
  • This is a male hairchin goby (Sagamia geneionema) protecting a brood of eggs. Males of this species mate several times with females, which lay their eggs on the upper surfaces of confined spaces and then leave the area to the care of the male. In this case, this burrow was at 20m depth, with water ranging between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius. The males protect the eggs until they hatch, somewhere between one and two weeks depending on water temperature, and then mate again. Throughout this process, the male does not eat much. As a result, after several matings, the males become too weak to carry on, and they die. The name for this species in Japanese is sabihaze (サビハゼ).
    hairchin-goby-sagamia-guarding-eggs-...tif
  • This is a male red-spotted blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) watching over a clutch of eggs that are nearly ready to hatch. During spawning, males of this species select and prepare burrows like this, often abandoned homes of Dendropoma maximum snails. When a male is able to attract a female, she deposit eggs while the male remains nearby in another burrow. He visits periodically to fertilize deposited eggs. The pair repeats this process until the female is done and departs.
    blenniella-chrysospilos-red-spotted-...tif
  • This fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) male is tending to several clutches of eggs, which are the result of spawning with multiple females. The bright yellow-orange coloration of the male is indicative of reproductive season. The multiple clutches and large number of healthy eggs show that this is a successful male, meaning that he has attracted many females and has done well protecting the eggs from predators.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-pro...tif
  • This is a male Opistognathus iyonis jawfish hatching a mouthful of eggs. A few of the juveniles can be seen swimming away. There are also two unfertilized eggs visible. Like other jawfish, the males of this species care for and protect developing juveniles, keeping the eggs in their mouths through the gestation period. The reproductive season is during the summer months. This shy small fish is known from the waters of the northwest Pacific, including South Korea and southern Japan. It reaches a length of about six centimeters.
    opistognathus-iyonis-jawfish-hatchin...tif
  • These are egg casings of the a branched murex (Chicoreus ramosus) sea snail. Each casing contain several eggs. The egg casings are white when fresh, gradually changing to a purple-lavender hue. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    chicoreus-ramosus-murex-eggs-202306-...tif
  • This is a 4cm male Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker watching over a clutch of eggs. The fish and eggs are inside of an empty barnacle shell. Some of the developing eggs are visible. More are beyond view inside the barnacle. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-g...tif
  • This is a hairchin goby (Sagamia geneionema) male standing guard in front of a clutch of developing eggs. Females deposit eggs in narrow crevices and under rocks, leaving males to care for the eggs until they hatch. Mature fish of this species die after spawning, meaning one generation per year. Native to coastal waters of Japan and Korea. Photographed in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
    sagamia-geneionema-goby-protecting-e...tif
  • This is the egg mass of a giant cuskeel (Spectrunculus grandis). This is a bathydemersal species, living on the ocean floor at depths of 1000m to 6000m. This egg mass was found floating at the ocean surface. See also close-up photograph for view of individual eggs. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    spectrunculus-grandis-giant-cuskeel-...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
  • This is a close-up view of a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) depositing eggs on a blade of eelgrass (Zostera marina). After finishing with an egg, females lift away from the substrate like this, perhaps as part of the process of preparing the next egg. Photographed at two times life-size magnification.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-female-depositi...tif
  • This is a female East Asian common octopus (Octopus sinensis) protecting a clutch of eggs during the winter, which is not the usual time of year for this species to brood eggs. Reproductive activity is most common during the summer months. This female was eventually successful. Some eggs started to hatch after 62 days, running until 76 days. Hatching during the normal season requires only a few days.
    octopus-sinensis-east-asian-common-o...tif
  • Close-up view of developing smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) embryos in translucent eggs, with eyes clearly visible. The eggs are about 3mm to 4mm in size. Also in this image are some eggs that appear to be non-viable. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    aptocyclus-ventricosus-eggs-smooth-l...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
  • Fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) eggs nearing maturity, with eyes and vascular structure visible. When newly spawned, the eggs are translucent, with a tinge of pigment, the color of which varies. Here, the eggs have become covered with algae and other things while the embryos developed. Photographed at 4x life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-egg...tif
  • This is a male fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) protecting eggs. The eggs comprise several clutches from a number of females. During the autumn to winter breeding season, mature males like this one establish territories and adopt a brilliant yellow-orange coloration. The males court passing females, which can choose to spawn with or to ignore a given male.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-mal...tif
  • Close-up view of eggs of Icelinus pietschi in various stages of development. This species of sculpin is native to the northwest Pacific. Each egg is a few millimeters in diameter. Photographed at four times life-size magnification.
    icelinus-pietschi-sculpin-eggs-japan...tif
  • Close-up view of developing eggs of Icelinus pietschi, a species of sculpin native to the northwest Pacific. Each egg is a few millimeters in diameter. Photographed at four times life-size magnification.
    icelinus-pietschi-sculpin-eggs-japan...tif
  • This rose petal bubble shell (Hydatina physis) is gathering and arranging freshly secreted eggs on its mantle, prior to attaching the completed egg mass to the sand with a mucous thread. After this is complete, the gastropod burrows back into substrate and disappears.
    hydatina-physis-with-eggs-rose-petal...tif
  • Close-up view of newly spawned spotty-bellied greenling eggs (Hexagrammos agrammus). Each egg is about 3mm in size. Photographed at a magnification of four times life size.
    hexagrammos-agrammus-spotty-bellied-...tif
  • These are the unusually shaped eggs of a seven-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus zhirmunskii), a small fish found in the Northwest Pacific and Sea of Japan. Each egg is around 2mm to 3mm in size, photographed here at a magnification of four times life-size.
    ernogrammus-zhirmunskii-eggs-seven-l...tif
  • This is a male copperstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus holotaenia) with a mouthful of fresh eggs. He will protect the eggs until they mature. When the time comes, he will send the juveniles off at night. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    ostorhinchus-holotaenia-cardinalfish...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
  • 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 red-spotted blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) hatching the clutch of eggs that he has been watching over for a period of about five days. Hatching occurs in the evening, with the male stimulating the eggs with his fins and mouth to provide the cue to the juveniles.
    blenniella-chrysospilos-red-spotted-...tif
  • Close-up view of newly spawned spotty-bellied greenling eggs (Hexagrammos agrammus). Each egg is about 3mm in size. Photographed at a magnification of four times life size.
    hexagrammos-agrammus-spotty-bellied-...tif
  • Pictured here are freshly spawned eggs of a fish called spotty-bellied greenling (Hexagrammos agrammus), known as kujime in Japanese. The fish live in coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Each egg is about 3mm in size. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-agrammus-eggs-japan-2019...tif
  • Pictured here are freshly spawned eggs of a fish called spotty-bellied greenling (Hexagrammos agrammus), known as kujime in Japanese. The fish live in coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Each egg is about 3mm in size. A developing embryo is visible at the bottom center of the image, with the eye and jaw structures just becoming discernable. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-agrammus-eggs-japan-2019...tif
  • These are newly spawned eggs of fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) fish, each egg measuring around 3mm. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-eggs-japan-201910...tif
  • These are newly spawned eggs of fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) fish, each egg measuring around 3mm. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-eggs-japan-201910...tif
  • These are newly spawned eggs of fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) fish, each egg measuring around 3mm. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-eggs-japan-201910...tif
  • This is a female dark sleeper (Odontobutis obscura), a species of freshwater sleeper perch, protecting her brood of eggs. Here she is flipped upside-down, with some of her eggs visible in the background. This fish’s den was located in a tiny crevice in a small ditch by the side of a road.
    dark-sleeper-odontobutis-obscura-wit...tif
  • Slender Sandgoby (Fusigobius gracilis) watching over a clutch of eggs hanging from the ceiling of an extremely narrow burrow. The silver reflection from the eggs are the eyes of the embryonic fish. The goby was about 4cm in length, the burrow at 15m depth.
    slender-sandgoby-fusigobius-gracilis...tif
  • This is a male elkhorn sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) watching over a carpet of bright yellow eggs. This is a difficult scene to document, as males of this species select tight crevices for their reproductive dens, sites characterized by cramped, restricted access. This species reproduces via internal gametic association, meaning copulation takes place, but fertilization only occurs when females spawn the eggs and contact with seawater happens. The Japanese name is Niji-kajika. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...tif
  • This is a male red-spotted blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) hatching the clutch of eggs that he has been watching over for a period of about five days. Hatching occurs in the evening, with the male stimulating the eggs with his fins and mouth to provide the cue to the juveniles.
    blenniella-chrysospilos-red-spotted-...tif
  • This is a male fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) tending to eggs. The eggs comprise several clutches from a number of females. During the autumn to winter breeding season, mature males like this one establish territories and adopt a brilliant yellow-orange coloration. The males court passing females, which can choose to spawn with or to ignore a given male.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-mal...tif
  • These are eggs of a sculpin named <br />
Bero elegans, found in the northwest Pacific. The eggs of this species have a blue tint and measure about 2mm to 3mm in size. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    bero-elegans-sculpin-eggs-japan-2019...tif
  • Pictured here are developing eggs of Hexagrammos otakii, known as Ainame in Japanese and fat greenling in English. The eggs are well developed, with eyes, spinal cords and blood vessels clearly visible. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-egg...tif
  • This is a male Nihon grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus nagaakii) watching over a clutch of eggs. On average, the eggs require about 60 days at 10 degrees Celsius to mature. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture in northeast Japan.
    rhamphocottus-nagaakii-nihon-grunt-s...tif
  • Pictured here are freshly spawned eggs of hound needlefish (Tylosurus crocodilus), draped across the top of Pavona decussata leaf coral. Exposed as they are, the eggs were prone to predation. They disappeared wtihin a few days, likely consumed by other reef residents. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    tylosurus-crocodilus-houndfish-eggs-...tif
  • Shown here is a cluster of Pharoah cuttlefish (Acanthosepion pharaonis) eggs that were deposited five days prior to this photograph being taken, far back in a narrow crevice among rocks. Despite the concealed location, many of the eggs had been already consumed by predators. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    acanthosepion-pharaonis-cuttlefish-e...tif
  • This is a cluster of elongated sculpin eggs (Alcichthys elongatus). The eggs were relatively fresh when photographed, just beginning to develop. Photographed at four times life-size magnification. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...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
  • These are freshly deposited eggs of an Icelinus pietschi sculpin. The eggs are about 3mm in diameter.
    icelinus-pietschi-sculpin-eggs-japan...tif
  • This is a female Radulinopsis taranetzi sculpin attending to a clutch of eggs, which are attached to a rock. The fish extends her mouth and sucks on the eggs to keep them clean and aerated.
    radulinopsis-taranetzi-sculpin-with-...tif
  • This is a female Radulinopsis taranetzi sculpin attending to a clutch of eggs, which are attached to a rock. The fish extends her mouth and sucks on the eggs to keep them clean and aerated.
    radulinopsis-taranetzi-sculpin-with-...tif
  • This is a male red-spotted blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) hatching the clutch of eggs that he has been watching over for a period of about five days. Hatching occurs in the evening, with the male stimulating the eggs with his fins and mouth to provide the cue to the juveniles.
    blenniella-chrysospilos-red-spotted-...tif
  • This rose petal bubble shell (Hydatina physis) is burrowing back into the substrate after having emerged to produce the eggs pictured here. This marine snail gathers and arranges its eggs on its mantle before attaching the completed mass to the sand with a mucous thread.
    hydatina-physis-with-eggs-rose-petal...tif
  • This is a male fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) tending to eggs. The eggs comprise several clutches from a number of females.  During the autumn to winter breeding season, mature males like this one establish territories and adopt a brilliant yellow-orange coloration. The males court passing females, which can choose to spawn with or to ignore a given male.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-mal...tif
  • Close-up view of developing Korean sandlance (Hypoptychus dybowskii) embryos inside eggs, each about 2mm in size. The eggs are on sargassum (Sargassum horneri (Turner) C.Agardh), stuck to the macro algae by secretions from the adult fish. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hypoptychus-dybowskii-eggs-korean-sa...tif
  • This is a female dark sleeper (Odontobutis obscura), a species of freshwater sleeper perch, protecting her brood of eggs. Here she is flipped upside-down above her eggs. The developing embryos are close to hatching, as the eyes are clearly visible. This fish’s den was located in a tiny crevice in a small ditch by the side of a road.
    dark-sleeper-odontobutis-obscura-wit...tif
  • This is view inside a cluster of elongated sculpin eggs (Alcichthys elongatus). The eggs were relatively fresh when photographed, just beginning to develop. Photographed at four times life-size magnification. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...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 male fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) protecting eggs. The eggs comprise several clutches from a number of females. During the autumn to winter breeding season, mature males like this one establish territories and adopt a brilliant yellow-orange coloration. The males court passing females, which can choose to spawn with or to ignore a given male.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-mal...tif
  • Five-lined cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus) with mouthful of yellow eggs
    cardinalfish-with-yellow-eggs-in-mou..tiff
  • This is a male sabretooth blenny (Petroscirtes breviceps) peeking out from the inside of a hollow log that it was using as a home. The sparkling gold-yellow dots lining the wall are developing eggs. Males of this species are responsible for caring for eggs until they hatch.
    petroscirtes-breviceps-blenny-protec...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
  • 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
  • Pictured here are eggs of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus). The juveniles are well-developed, with eyes clearly visible. Photographed at 4x life-size magnification.
    abudefduf-sexfasciatus-sergeant-majo...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
  • 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
  • This is a female whitespotted pygmy filefish (Rudarius ercodes) tending to a clutch of eggs that she has deposited on a rope. Development of this species is rapid, with the juveniles hatching in approximately three days.
    rudarius-ercodes-tending-eggs-whites...tif
  • This is a male red-spotted blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) watching over a clutch of eggs that are nearly ready to hatch.
    blenniella-chrysospilos-red-spotted-...tif
  • This is a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) depositing eggs on a blade of eelgrass (Zostera marina). Reproductive season takes place twice a year.. Adults of this species die after reproduction, which means that there are two generations each year. Size descriptions generally suggest maximum size of up to 18mm. The females in this area were considerably larger, in the range of 30mm. Photographed at magnification of two times life-size.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-female-depositi...tif
  • White and yellow Glossodoris sp. nudibranch laying eggs in Ambon, Indonesia
    Glossodoris-nudibranch-laying-eggs-a...tif
  • Common ghost goby (Pleurosicya mossambica) diligently guarding a precious brood of eggs on the surface of a sponge, in the muck at Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photographed at 3x life-size
    super-macro-common-ghost-goby-Pleuro...tif
  • Shown here is a cluster of freshly deposited eggs of Pharoah cuttlefish (Acanthosepion pharaonis), located far back in a narrow crevice among rocks. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    acanthosepion-pharaonis-cuttlefish-e...tif
  • This is a long shanny (Stichaeus grigorjewi) male guarding two clutches of eggs. This species lives in deep water, down to 300m, in the Northwest Pacific. They come up to shallow water for reproduction. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    stichaeus-grigorjewi-protecting-eggs...tif
  • This is a female mud crab (Scylla sp.) carrying eggs during the late summer.
    scylla-mud-crab-eggs-japan-202208-00...tif
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Tony Wu Underwater Photography

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