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Just for those interested in how it all happens prior to successful breeding , here it is.

1) the heavily gravid female finally approaches two males who have been partially displaying all morning (it is now 7.00 in the evening.)
Presumably she gives then a knowing wink.lol.


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_4775.jpg

2 ) the males kickoff in earnest, starting with a bit of synchronised swimming, never more than about 5 inches apart, and usually closer than two.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_4802.jpg

3)Watch this- the males start spinning around, tail to tail getting ever closer.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_4787.jpg

4)They are swimming closer, touching regularly, they both begin to enhance their orange lateral colouration (sorry it doesnt show up on the pic- its very subtle.)Note the female at the bottom of the picture who actually circles at a distance of about 1 foot during the entire courtship ritual.


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_4777.jpg

5)Oi! Ref! Theres a little bite here and there, no wounds, but probably not painless. The more dominant fish generally makes the first bite.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_4799.jpg

6)They perform a t-bone formation, always staying at right angles, as if daring each other to fight on, its a game of bluff.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_4793.jpg

7)The loser finally concedes victory and is chased off.The winner mates with the female who hangs around him for several minutes before allowing fertilisation of the eggs

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_4788.jpg

ps I didnt take piccies of the actual mating as it might disturb them and the female is so heavily gravid that I need her to vent the eggs asap. I will get you some pics of the actual spawn at a later date.

Hope that showed you something about rainbow courtship!




Last edited by longhairedgit at 14-Dec-2005 15:33