Least Killifish mating

Least Killifish mating

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The tiny size of the Least Killifish makes it challenging to watch them in aquariums.

You have to get really close to the aquarium and...be patient.

The less than one inch fish attired in naturally blending colors is hard to spot.

Keeping the video camera focused on the fish is another level of challenge :)

I'll get it.

Here they are.

Males always follow the female trying to stay behind and below her.

This is the female.

The male is watching the female from under the rock.

The male is flexing his stick shaped under belly fin as a sword pointing at the target.

This sharp shooter is ready to fire :)

The target is out of range.

The female has a spade or fan shaped underbelly fin - that is the target the male was aiming at.

It's accessible for males only when they positioned behind and below the female.

The female would allow the male to approach her from that direction only when she is ready.

The male has to follow the female all the time for a chance of this opportunity.

Males hide near feeding spots and such places where females often pass by.

This cave serves the male very well for that purpose.

The male follows the female when she moves to another side of the tank.

There is another male competitor awaiting for his chance.

Males compete fighting each other or luring the competitors away from the female.

Here the male found another cave spot close to the female.

Is she ready? or just teasing him!

Nope. Don't you dare!

And the female gracefully moves away.

She gets busy hunting baby scuds.

Now it is a perfect time to deal with the other male competitors.

The male quickly found one and chased him away.

Not for too long - the intruder came back to stand his ground.

He will fight back or try to lure the male away from the female he spotted above.

And it works!

It's s joy watching these tiny fighters.

Have fun and happy aquariums :)