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