{"id":3403,"date":"2011-02-10T19:55:28","date_gmt":"2011-02-10T19:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwphoto.onpressidium.com\/mouthbrooding-cardinalfish-eggs\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T06:57:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T06:57:51","slug":"mouthbrooding-cardinalfish-eggs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uwphotographyguide.com\/mouthbrooding-cardinalfish-eggs\/","title":{"rendered":"Mouthbrooding Cardinalfish"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mouthbrooding Cardinalfish<\/h1>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How to photograph mouthbrooding behavior<\/h2>\n

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Underwater photography of mouthbrooding Cardinalfish can be challenging and rewarding. On a recent visit to the Sabang Wrecks in Puerto Galera, Philippines, we found that a little patience can reward you with some interesting images of this unique marine life behavior<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Ringtailed Cardinalfish with eggs. <\/p>\n

Nikon D90, Nikon 105mmVR macro lens, ISO 200, 1\/100th sec at f\/16.<\/p>\n

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Understanding Behavior of Mouthbrooders<\/h3>\n

Like other Cardinalfish and several other types of fish, such as the Jawfish and many freshwater Cichlids, the Ringtailed Cardinalfish, Apogon aureus<\/em>, is a mouthbrooder. Mouthbrooding occurs in several types of animals to include some frogs, but is most prevalent with fish. Infrequently it is the female or both sexes sharing the task of carrying the eggs during the incubation period, but usually, as is with Cardinalfish, it is the male alone who carries out these duties. Generally the female will release an egg mass close to the chosen male and after the male fertilizes the eggs, he will take them into his mouth to carry them during the incubation period, until the fry are ready to hatch. The male will generally be unable to eat during this incubation period. However, research in certain Cardinalfish species has shown that some males may show partial brood cannibalism, by eating up to 30% of it\u2019s brood, during this period.<\/p>\n

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Male Cardinalfish rotating the egg mass<\/p>\n

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During this time the male Cardinalfish will open it\u2019s mouth to rotate the egg mass on occasion, to keep the eggs clean and aerated. At times it will partially expel the eggs, during this process. It is this behavior, which is interesting to photograph. The egg mass starts out as a white bundle then turns a silvery color with the eyes of the fry becoming evident through the egg casing, towards the end of their development. To capture this behavior, it is best to use a longer macro lens, such as the 100mm or 105mm macro lens, to allow sufficient working distance for the fish to exhibit it\u2019s natural behavior, without spooking it, yet still fill the frame. Every two to three minutes the pregnant male will open its jaw and rotate the egg mass before sucking it back into it\u2019s mouth. You can spot the pregnant male by the extended pouch below its jaw.<\/p>\n

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Male Cardinalfish with extended throat pouch<\/p>\n

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Opening its mouth and showing eggs<\/p>\n

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Underwater Photography Tips for Mouthbrooders with Eggs<\/h3>\n