Reproductive biology of Eretmodus cyanostictus, a cichlid fish from Lake Tanganyika

One of the most widely accepted explanations for monogamy is the need for biparental care. However, the occurrence of monogamy combined with biparental care is extremely rare in oral incubating (mouthbrooding) cichlid fishes. Few studies have been performed on cichlid species that exhibit this behaviour, and therefore the ecological factors that favour monogamy in these cases remain obscure. Here we present new information on the natural …