Paraclinus marmoratus (Steindachner 1876)

Females deposit eggs in nests often associated with the sponge Verongia fistularis (Ref. 55842). Males fan the eggs for aeration which are probably spawned by several females owing to different developmental stages of eggs present in the nests (Ref. 205). Pairs will spawn routinely in aquaria in the absence of the sponges (Ref. 205).According to aquarium observations by Breder (1941), "spawning takes place with the female in an inverted position while the male remains upright, wandering females adding to the eggs. The nesting male on sexual exhaustion repulses additional females with a typical warning attitude and eventual biting similar to its reaction to another male or other fish."

Dorsal spines (total): 28 - 29; Dorsal soft rays (total): 1; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 19 - 20

Inhabits seagrass beds and coral reefs. May be found associated with the sponge Verongia fistularis (Ref. 13628). Sexual dimorphism in the shape of the head and dorsal fin (Ref. 5521). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Polygynous males guard the eggs which are spawned by several females in nests (Ref. 55842).

aquarium: commercial