#bothidae

photograph by Coby Bidwell

@伊豆三津シーパラダイス

Social organization in flounders (Bothidae) is haremic, with males defending a territory containing a small subunit of females (Konstantinou 1995). Agonistic behavior commonly occurs between resident males and intruding satellite males. In this sexually dimorphic species, males have increased body length, larger left pectoral fin and greater interorbital distance (Kobelowsky 2004). Courtship behaviors vary between species and include: a series of slow rises up to 1 m off the substrate, circling the female by the male, raising of the male pectoral fin. Copulation occurs with both male and female rising from the substrate towards the surface. Of the Caribbean species (Bothus spp.), the male position themselves underneath the female during the ascent (Konstantinou 1995). The male releases a cloud of sperm at the apex and descends while the female hangs and releases her eggs into the sperm cloud. The following footage shows the copulation in the Caribbean species, Bothus lunatus. Credits Cinematography: Dr. Stuart Sandin Edited by: Neilan Kuntz Written by: Neilan Kuntz Location: Bonaire Island, Dutch Territory (2001)