Cirrhilabrus rhomboidalis mating?

[Len]

Something is up in my tank. I believe my C.rhomboidalis is mating or at least going through courting rituals (both male and female). The male began to display it's colors last Friday and continues to do so today. It will dart around the female and sometimes chase it for short periods of time.

Well, today, I notice the female's form has changed. Her abdomen appears inflated. When the male goes into his display, there is something clearly protruding from the females posterior. Despite being chased, the female will continue to seek out the male during his display.

Here are some bad quality photos I took while observing all of this. I will try to photograph more tonight (waiting for my batteries to charge ..... timing sucks! )

 

[Len]

One more male display photo, then on to the female

 

[Len]

Here's the female. You can clearly see something protruding from her posterior.

 

[Len]

Another photo showing the same thing

 

[Len]

And here she is, with inflated abdomen but nothing protruding when the male isn't displaying

 

[Len]

FYI: They've apparently stopped the courting while I was uploading these pics. Her form is returning back to normal now.

 

[Hiroyuki Tanaka]

Len, these photos are of great interest.

The female seems to have prepared to spawn and they might reproduce in your tank. Keep us informed. I have not heard of reproduction behavior by the members of Cirrhilabrus in any captive environment.

 

[Len]

Hiroyuki, do you know of any documentation about Cirrhilabrus spawning and rearing of fry/young? I doubt I could successful raise any, but I would sure like to try if they are indeed reproducing

 

[jetaero]

Wow len! I *had* said they should spawn at that price :lol:

Very nice photos, again, I envy you

-Josh-

 

[Anonymous]

First dibs on the kids.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Hiroyuki Tanaka]

Len,

I do not know any aquarium book that shows how they spawn and rear.

You may find some hints for their behavior in the past books
"Anemonefishes and their Host Anemones" (Allen), and some dottyback books. Also "Reproduction in Reef Fishes" (Threasher) is highly recommended to see how they reproduce.