Determining the level of parental care relating fanning behavior of five species of clownfishes in captivity

Abstract

Clownfishes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Amphiprion sebae, A. clarkii, A. percula, A. ocellaris and Premnas biaculeatus</i> were reared in captive condition and their parental care activities were studied. Role of both male and female in parental care and terminating in successful hatching of eggs studied is described. Site selection, clutch formation, spawning, guarding, mouthing and fanning of the eggs were quantified. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">A. sebae </i>exhibits more effective parental care for longer durations. The time spent on fanning was longer in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">A. sebae </i>and shorter in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">A. clarkii.</i> Fanning frequency was higher in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">A. percula</i> but lower in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">A. clarkii. </i>In the five species the fanning duration and frequency were positively correlated to hatching success. Gradation of dissolved oxygen levels adjacent to the clutch area due to the fanning behavior is discussed. Relation between body weight and the fecundity, fanning duration and frequency with hatching success are documented.