16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Daddy Day Care - Male Yellow-headed Jawfish Mouth Brooding Eggs
This yellow-headed jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) is a paternal mouthbrooder practicing buccal incubation. I watched him move the eggs around to aerate them with oxygenated water. These jawfish only grow up to 10cm, and it is relatively rare to find one with eggs, so I was quite happy to be able to witness this amazing feat. What a good dad!
Photo Detail
Date Taken: | 08.2018 |
Date Uploaded: | 11.2018 |
Photo Location: | Little Cayman, Cayman Islands |
Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark IV |
Copyright: | © Lindsey Dougherty |