LEK-LIKE SPAWNING, PARENTAL CARE AND MATING PERIODICITY OF THE TRIGGERFISH PSEUDOBALISTES-FLAVIMARGINATUS (BALISTIDAE)

The triggerfish Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus has a lek-like spawning system at Yonge Reef, Great Barrier Reef. Males migrate to a traditional mating ground where they establish territories enclosing nest sites and egg chambers. Females arrive several days later and choose a male for mating. There is biparental care of the fertilized eggs and a strict division of labour. Females appeared to be confined to the nest site by the male. Mating was semi-lunar: eggs were observed in nests several days before the new and full moons on days when high tide occurred near sunset. Differences were observed in the spawning system of another triggerfish (P. fuscus) between the Great Barrier Reef and the Red Sea. Observations of another triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) are also reported.