Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Breeding synchrony and spawning intervals in the temperate damselfishChromis notata

  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Synopsis

The reproductive behavior of damselfish,Chromis notata, was studied at Mukaishima Island, Seto Inland Sea of Japan. Spawning occur synchronously among the fish in the study area except during a part of the breeding season. Neither spawnings nor hatchings, however, coincide with any particular phase of the lunar or tidal cycle. The intervals between the spawning peaks vary considerably during the breeding season. These results support the hypothesis that synchrony of breeding is facilitated by social interactions among the fish of a local area. The male inter-spawning intervals, and even the intervals between last spawning and next nesting, are longer than the female inter-spawning intervals in the beginning of breeding season. This delay of male spawning is attributed to the long incubation period and may have an influence on the male reproductive success.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References cited

  • Abel, W. 1961. Freiwasserstudien über das Fortpflanzungverhalten von Monch-fishChromis chromis L., einem vertreter der Pomacentriden im Mittelmer. Z. Tierpsychol. 18: 441–449.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, G.R. 1972. The anemonefishes: their classification and biology. T.F.H. Publications. Neptune City. 288 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, G. W. 1981. Pattern of parental investment, dispersal and size among coral-reef fishes. Env. Biol. Fish. 6: 65–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, P. J. 1983. Diel, lunar and seasonal rhythms in the reproduction of two tropical damselfishes:Pomacentrus fla-vicauda andP. wardi. Mar. Biol. 75: 215–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fricke, H. W. 1973. Ökologie und Sozialverhalten des KorallenbarschesDascyllus trimaculatus (Pisces, Pomacentridae). Z. Tierpsychol. 32: 225–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirota, R. 1979. Seasonal occurrence of zooplankton at a definite station off Mukaishima from July of 1976 to June of 1979. Publ. Amakusa Mar. Biol. Lab. 5: 9–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzberg, V. S. 1973. Beobachtungen zur Ökologie und zum Sozialverhalten des KorallenbarschesDascyllus marginatus Ruppell (Pisces; Pomacentridae). Z. Tierpsychol. 33: 492–513.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johannes, R. E. 1978. Reproductive strategies of coastal marine fishes in the tropics. Env. Biol. Fish. 3: 65–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keenleyside, M. H. A. 1972. The behaviour ofAbudefduf zonatus (Pisces, Pomacentridae) at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. Anim. Behav. 20: 763–774.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moyer, J. T. 1975. Reproductive behavior of the damselfishPomacentrus nagasakiensis at Miyake-jima, Japan. Japan. J. Ichthyol. 22: 151–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakazono, A., H. Takeya & H. Tsukahara. 1979. Studies on the spawning behavior ofChromis notata (Temminck et Schlegel). Sci. Bull. Fac. Agr. Kyushu Univ. 34: 29–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ochi, H. 1985. Termination of parental care due to small clutch size in the temperate damselfish,Chromis notata. Env. Biol. Fish. 12: 155–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pressley, P. H. 1980. Lunar periodicity in the spawning of yellowtail damselfish,Microspathodon chrysurus. Env. Biol. Fish. 5: 153–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, J. E., H. Ida & J. T. Moyer. 1981. A review of the damselfishes of the genusChromis from Japan and Taiwan, with description of a new species. Japan. J. Ichthyol. 30: 203–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, R. M., 1978. Reproductive behavior of the anemonefishAmphiprion melanopus on Guam. Copeia 1978: 103–107.

  • Schmale, M. C. 1981. Sexual selection and reproductive success in males of the bicolor damselfish,Eupomacentrus partitus (Pisces: Pomacentridae). Anim. Behav. 29: 1172–1184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thresher, R. E. 1984. Reproduction in reef fishes. T.F.H. Publications. Neptune City. 399 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thresher, R. E. & A. M. Gronell. 1978. Subcutaneous tagging of small reef fishes. Copeia 1978: 352–353.

  • Uno, Y. 1955. Spawning habit and early development of a puffer,Fugu niphobles (Jordan et Snyder). J. Tokyo Univ. Fish. 41: 172–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wooton, R. J. 1973. The effect of size of food ratio on egg production in the female three-spined sticklebacks,Gasterosteus aculeatus L. J. Fish Biol. 5: 89–96.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mukaishima Marine Biological Station, Hiroshima University, Onomichi, Japan

    Haruki Ochi

Authors
  1. Haruki Ochi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ochi, H. Breeding synchrony and spawning intervals in the temperate damselfishChromis notata . Environ Biol Fish 17, 117–423 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001741

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001741

Keywords

Search

Navigation