Parental egg care in the spraying characid ( Copeina arnoldi Regan): Role of the spawning surface

Abstract

The roles of the eggs and the spawning surface in eliciting and directing parental splashing in Copeina arnoldi were studied. Removal of the eggs does not affect the frequency or the accuracy of spawn splashing. Copeina arnoldi, unlike other fish with extended parental care of eggs, does not rely upon cues from the eggs for eliciting or directing parental care. Rather, males use the edge of the spawning surface adjacent to the eggs for directing splashes. This may be an adaptation to their unique practice of depositing the spawn on emergent vegetation.