Diel, Lunar, and Seasonal Periodicity in the Reproductive Behavior of the Pomacanthid Fish, Centropyge potteri, and Some Other Reef Fishes in Hawaii

The reproductive behavior of five Hawaiian coral reef fishes are described for the first time: an angelfish (Pomacanthidae), three butterflyfishes (Chaetodon fremblii, C. multicinctus, C. unimaculatus), and a goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus). The angelfish, Centropyge potteri, was examined in detail. It was determined that every month from December until May it spawns each evening during the week preceding a full moon. On extensive coral reefs C. potteri occurs mostly in pairs, whereas on patch reefs a single male may control access to several females. Thus, males on patch reefs seem to enjoy greater reproductive success than males on extensive reefs. The advantages potentially associated with spawning synchronized at dusk between the first quarter and full moon primarily involve reduced mortality of offspring. The annual reproductive period, which is shared by several other Hawaiian shore fishes, is correlated with a semiannual shift in ocean currents that may retain larvae in the vicinity of the Hawaiian reefs at that time