23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Spawning storm

For a few weeks each year, brown surgeonfish aggregate every evening in large numbers at the same locations along several sites in the northern Red Sea to reproduce. They engage in the spawning activity itself just before sunset with small groups “jumping” up together and spawning altogether.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Eilat, Israel
Camera: ILCE-1
Copyright: © Tom Shlesinger