Spawning-site selection in relation to parental care of eggs in Aequidens paraguayensis (Pisces: Cichlidae)

Abstract

Aequidens paraguayensis laid their eggs on small rather than large, and unweighted rather than weighted artificial leaves. Before spawning the fish moved available leaf litter into the deeper section of a two-depth aquarium. After spawning the parents moved the egg-bearing leaf into areas of relatively deep water and dense cover, especially in response to the presentation of a predator model. Female parents moved the leaf with eggs more often, but performed fewer aggressive acts towards the predator model, than male parents did. All of these behaviours are seen as adaptations to counter egg predation, and possibly also to cope with rapid changes in water levels, which frequently occur in the natural habitat.