Questions from Laypeople to Those Who Know Critters

[Chavodel8en]

And don't want to start a new thread.

Here's my question :
Several years ago, diving the Metridium Fields in Monterey, I came across 2 rockfish (I forget what kind), locked mouth to mouth. They weren't struggling, they were just locked like that, not moving. I swim away, and 15 min. later come back and they haven't moved an inch. I always thought it was odd.

Any of y'all know (or educated guess) what was happening?

I always assumed it was either fighting, or reproductive related?

 

[Steve_C]

And don't want to start a new thread.

Here's my question :
Several years ago, diving the Metridium Fields in Monterey, I came across 2 rockfish (I forget what kind), locked mouth to mouth. They weren't struggling, they were just locked like that, not moving. I swim away, and 15 min. later come back and they haven't moved an inch. I always thought it was odd.

Any of y'all know (or educated guess) what was happening?

I always assumed it was either fighting, or reproductive related?

No idea about rockfish but I saw two seagulls doing that. They had both swallowed half of a fish and were not willing to let go.

 

[drbill]

I've seen a number of fish species mouth fighting, but can't verify that's what the rockfish were doing