Breeding territoriality and pair formation in the convict cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum; Pisces, Cichlidae)

Abstract

In many biparental species a sex difference in parental investment in a brood before fertilization, such as establishing a breeding territory or preparing a nest, may be an important component of the overall pattern of parental investment. Prefertilization investment patterns have been described for several species of biparental cichlid fishes, but there are discrepancies in the descriptions for the convict cichlid, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. This study describes quantitatively the prespawning behaviour of male and female convict cichlids and examines the influence on their behaviour of limiting the number of available spawning sites. The results indicate that pair formation begins several days before spawning when the female begins to follow a male and chase other females away from him. The pair then begins to spend more time in a smaller area where spawning eventually occurs. The breeding territory is usually established by the pair on the day of spawning. There was little difference in the pattern of prespawning behaviour offish with abundant versus limited spawning sites. It appears that neither sex will establish a territory until the female is ready to spawn and the pair has formed.