Green Bird Wrasse Spawning

[moriarty]

Thought this was pretty cool and wanted to share...

My pair of green bird wrasse (Gomphosus varius) were spawning last night. No idea how long it had been going on, but it lasted about 15 minutes after I had taken notice. They would swim together in and around the rock with their dorsal fins fully displayed, and the male fluttering his pelvic fins. Suddenly they would make a dash to the surface and separate with each one going a separate way. They repeated this about a half dozen times (that I saw). I didn't notice any gametes being released, but I wasn't around to witness the whole event. Not sure that my pool is deep enough for them to complete a spawning rise, but they were definitely trying!

Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a video at the time, but I did manage to get a shot of them as they hit the surface of the water - top left - (not the greatest picture, but the best of the bunch; the majority of which just looked like brown and green blurs).

I was sure to put the netting/cover over the pool before I went upstairs!

 

[Shawn O]

That's fantastic. I can only imagine how excited you felt after it was over. Hopefully they will display the same behavior some more in the next few days. Have your vidcam ready.

 

[moriarty]

Yeah, was a very cool thing to see! I have my camera at the ready, but they have since settled down. Definitely making sure to keep the pool covered when I'm not around though just incase! I've had a few different species spawn in my tanks (chalk bass, damsels, clowns, etc...), but this was the first time that I have witnessed it with a larger fish.