> Gary Denton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Deborah Harrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: <snippage>
> > Debbi > > who subscribes to the 'gourami fish theory' of > >mating > ???? That I would have to see ;-) > > Breeding gouramis can be a tricky issue though, as > they can be > aggressive towards and even kill the females.... > ....If she is ready to mate and the male is not too > aggressive in his > pursuits (some males are just not mateable at all > because they will > beat up even females are responsive).... > Real Kinky > Unless you mean kissing gouramis, who do not build a > bubble nest but > just just start kissing along each others sides and > get excited until > thousands of sticky eggs are released and then > fertized all over the tank. <grin> It was indeed kissing gouramis, but because I recalled reading that the 'kissing' behaviour was actually a 'sizing-up' of the potential mate; weaker fish were chased away as unfit, while two 'equals' would find each other suitable and mate. I don't recall where I read that (it was quite some time ago!), and was not able to find anything really corroborating it on the net. Some articles stated that only males 'kissed' in establishing dominance, others that it was to remove parasites or feed on algae, others that only males/females exhibited this behavior... http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=21&pCatId=968 http://www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/fresh/kisser.htm http://mikejacobs.50megs.com/SecretKissingGourami.html [from the last:] "There are several theories as to why Helostoma temmincki kisses, but actual scientific proof seems to be lacking. As L. P. Aronson states that assumptions are often made about the nature of aggressive and reproductive behavior without adequate evidence about what is actually taking place. Three main theories seem to be: 1) That kissing is an aggressive action derived from the formation of territories and social organizations. 2) That it is an act of courtship and/or presexual behavior. 3) That it is merely a habitual play trait, characteristic of other fishes also. A more recent suggestion claims that may possibly be a method by which the fish remove tiny parasites from each others mouths. An extensive research in the future may finally solve this mystery; until that time, however, this strange little ritual remains the secret of Helostoma temmincki...." This researcher's viewpoint could apply to cichlids - or us: http://www.sru.edu/depts/artsci/bio/scb/scbres.htm "4. How do aggressive and courtship motivations and behavior result in successful pair formation in sexually monomorphic cichlid species? This is, in some sense, the most persistent question in my research, and one that has been pursued by researchers since the 1930s. I don't think the answer lies in the traditionally examined realm of simple, sexually dimorphic coloration, olfactory cues, behavioral stereotypy, or auditory cues. All have been investigated. Instead, the process may be essentially dynamic, and its "local unpredictability" an inherent component of the dynamic interactions between the sexes. I would like to know the basics of the decision rules that yield this unstable behavioral system..." > Perhaps this subscription to the "gourami fish > theory of mating" > relates to your lowered expectations? <snort of amusement> Exactly the opposite -- I want an equal! <scratches side-of-face> And, um, well...if he _wasn't_ my equal, I'd drive him away from my territory; not trying to be mean, ya see, but why would I settle for a guy I'd have to stifle myself for? Debbi Locally Unpredictable Maru ;) __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Domains – Claim yours for only $14.70/year http://smallbusiness.promotions.yahoo.com/offer
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