Banggai cardinalfish have paternal care. This dad will hatch and brood his young in his mouth until they are ready to swim out. You can see the little guys hanging out in his mouth.
These guys were the first saltwater fish to be bred in captivity specifically because they do this. Most saltwater fish spend their baby days as tiny, fragile, planktonic fry, and many fish need specific cues to breed. Banggais will happily breed whenever you keep them in good conditions, and the fry emerge from the dad’s mouth as miniature versions of the adults. It’s adorable.
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