Question for all of you...

[windeindoiel]

As this isn't specific for freshwater or marine fish I didn't really know where to post it, so I decided to post it here.

Anyways, my question is do some species of fish mate for life? And if they do, and the mate dies or is removed, does the temperment of the other fish change? I'd really appreciate what people have to say on this one.

[slipknottin]

Anyways, my question is do some species of fish mate for life? And if they do, and the mate dies or is removed, does the temperment of the other fish change?

yes, yes.

You will find nearly every variety of breeding and mating in the cichlid family. Including fish who pair for life, and will refuse to eat if their mate is lost.

Another somewhat stranger example is that of fish like clownfish. They are sequential hermaphrodities. Meaning all fish are 'males' when young. The largest fish will develop into a female and mate with the next largest male. When the female dies, the next largest male becomes the female, and so on and so on. I dont know if you can find a bigger temperment change than that. :thud:

[Harlock]

yes, yes.

You will find nearly every variety of breeding and mating in the cichlid family. Including fish who pair for life, and will refuse to eat if their mate is lost.

Another somewhat stranger example is that of fish like clownfish. They are sequential hermaphrodities. Meaning all fish are 'males' when young. The largest fish will develop into a female and mate with the next largest male. When the female dies, the next largest male becomes the female, and so on and so on. I dont know if you can find a bigger temperment change than that. :thud:
Ewww! Nemo's Mom was a dude!!!

[Dangerdoll]

Ewww! Nemo's Mom was a dude!!!
:soda:

[maverick2402]

I'll never look at Nemo the same again.
I hear Aerosmith's " Dude Looks Like A Lady"

[Dangerdoll]

I know what ya mean, but hey, not to hijack this thread or anything.... I saw Shark Tales this weekend..... got a thumbs "eh" from me.... *sigh*

[maverick2402]

and what were you doing looking at my tale? :p

[Dangerdoll]

I couldn't resist..... actually.... I think these were a different kind of Shark..... they totally didn't have your smile.... :D

(*sigh*, still, shark or no shark..... nothing beats marine-man :cool: *sigh*)

[slipknottin]

Ewww! Nemo's Mom was a dude!!!

And nemo's dad would have become his mom.
:eek:

[nursie]

Maverick...would that not be "tail" :D

[maverick2402]

Yes it would ,nursie ,but I was just going along with what Doll sais so thats why I spelled it that way.

[Harlock]

And nemo's dad would have become his mom.
:eek:
This is like one of those weird discussions about light being accelerated beyond light speed so it in fact exits an experiment before it enters. My head hurts. I'm having a lie down.

[windeindoiel]

Changing gender is more of a physical change then a temperment change. I mean like do they seem upset with the loss and mourn them?

[slipknottin]

I mean like do they seem upset with the loss and mourn them?

They do not have higher brain functions neccessary to be conciously aware of their enviroment and therefore are incapable of feeling any emotions, bad or good. However, as I said, certain species of fish which breed for life may refuse to eat, or even die from the loss of a mate. Certain stimuli, or lack of stimuli can cause extreme stress on them, leading to all sorts of issues.