The Reproductive Behaviour of Aequidens paraguayensis (Pisces, Cichlidae)

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Abstract
The reproductive behaviour of aquarium‐held Aequidens paraguayensis is described, with emphasis on a quantitative comparison of male‐female parental roles. It is a biparental species. Eggs, laid on leaf litter, are guarded and aerated for about 32 hours (25–27° C) and newly‐hatched young are orally brooded for several days. Both sexes performed all parental activities; ♀♀ did more fanning and mouthing of eggs, ♂♂ more oral churning of young initially. The combination of substrate and oral brooding of young by both parents is rare among New World cichlids and is of interest for the study of the evolution of parental behaviour in fishes.