Merry
Contributor
Until yesterday, I hadn't paid much attention to our ubiquitous blackeye goby, Rhinogobiops nicholsii. One in particular was behaving atypically. It was swimming back and forth in short bursts a foot or more above the bottom. It would repeatedly venture out briefly, then return to its rocky perch.
This behavior is a courtship display by males trying to attract females to their nest. Several other male gobies were parading their conspicuous black pelvic fins, the whole effect of which was enhanced by the blue margins on other fins.
Juvenile sheephead
This behavior is a courtship display by males trying to attract females to their nest. Several other male gobies were parading their conspicuous black pelvic fins, the whole effect of which was enhanced by the blue margins on other fins.
Juvenile sheephead
