| Main Ref. | Gladstone, W., 1994 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | external |
| Mating type | polygyny |
| Spawning frequency | |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Ref. |
| Reproductive guild |
guarders nesters |
| Parental Care | biparental |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Males migrate to a traditional spawning ground where they establish territories enclosing nest sites and egg chambers (Ref. 9777). Nesting occurs in sand-bottomed channels and shallow cuts through the barrier reef (Ref. 9778, 37816). The nest consist of depressions up to 2 m wide and 0.7 m deep (Ref. 9778, 37816). Females arrive several days later and select a male for mating (Ref. 9777). Exhibit biparental care (Ref. 9777). Up to 430,000 or more eggs may be deposited in a spongy fist-sized cluster weighted down with pieces of rubble (Ref. 9778, 37816). Males establish a territory for spawning and parental care but not for feeding (Ref. 116451). Only females tend the eggs but both parents keep guard (Ref. 116451). |
| Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |