What exactly is going on here?

[Jamdiver]

Took this shot during a recent night dive, i'm told that these are surgeon fish exhibiting night-time coloration.

As I was taking the shot I was fairly certain that these two were just sleeping together for safety in a crevice, however upon further examination I have to wonder if something else is going on.

I.E. Mating, am I incorrect here or what?

 

[H2Andy]

dude, you're into naughty fish pics???

 

[Jamdiver]

dude, you're into naughty fish pics???

No comment :14:.

So what do you think it is??

 

[M_Bipartitus]

Unlikely anything other than resting in the same place. As far as I recall, tangs lay eggs and the male fertilizes them separately. I could be wrong though.

 

[**ping**]

yup... Tangs usually lay eggs on a rock and the male swims over them to fertilize them. You see these nests quite often, usually because there is a score of other fish trying to eat the eggs. One parent is often found jealouslz guarding the nest, chasing everything away that comes close, even divers.

 

[H2Andy]

So what do you think it is??

i think this is Brokeback Reef, dude

 

[Jamdiver]

i think this is Brokeback Reef, dude

Lol stop or i'll hijack my own thread :14:
:rofl: :lol: :lol:

 

[SmokinReefer]

I've kept tangs in my saltwater aquarium for years. Once the lights start dimming (simulated sunset and sunrise) the fish begin to loose their color. Purple tangs turn almost completely grey. I had a few yellow tangs which turned to a pale brown. Years ago I though they they were dying, but when sunrise comes, so does the color.

My guess is they are not mating. Just hiding together for the night, as long as the small fish knows who's in charge. My fish always did a similar thing, but then they were in a smaller reef.

 

[Jamdiver]

Thanks guys for all the input, guess they were really just sleeping.
And now if I may precede to hijack my thread... I blame Andy for this :14: ..
Idea and editing stolen from the ppd'ers..

Brokeback Reef

 

[wardric]

:lol: