EFFECT OF MATE REMOVAL ON CURRENT AND SUBSEQUENT PARENTAL CARE IN THECONVICT CICHLID (PISCES, CICHLIDAE)

In most biparental, substrate-brooding species of cichlid fishes, fema le and male roles differ. Females are usually more involved in direct care of the young while males spend more time away patrolling the terr itory. This study tested the flexibility of these sex roles with remov al experiments in the convict cichlid, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. When males were removed, female fanning activity increased. When females w ere removed, males spent more rime fanning and less time away from the brood. Other behavioural variables (frequency of digging, mouthing, f oraging and retrieving) were not affected. Being alone or paired durin g a first breeding episode did not affect parental behaviour during a subsequent episode in which all fish were paired. Observations were ca rried our during the day and at night, and nocturnal fanning of fry is reported here for the first time. Female role appears less flexible t han male role, as befits the more direct care normally given by female s.