REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR OF THE BRAZILIAN ANNUAL FISH CYNOLEBIAS ALBIPUNCTATUS COSTA & BRASIL, 1991 (TELEOSTEI, CYPRINODONTIFORMES, RIVULIDAE): A NEW REPORT OF SOUND PRODUCTION IN FISHES

1 ABSTRACT - The reproductive behavior of Cynolebias albipunctatus is described based on aquarium observations. The sequence of five distinct stages of reproductive behaviors defined for other rivulids was observed: 1) courtship displays; 2) invitation to dive; 3) submerging; 4) spawning/fertilization; 5) emerging. Some patterns are shared with several species of cynolebiatine annual fishes, such as courtship displays with lateral waving movements of male body and unpaired fins of male expanded during waving movements. Some unique behavioral patterns were also identified, such as distinctive movements of male head, producing a crack-like sound to attract the female, determination of a dominant female with exclusion of other female by the couple, dominant exhibiting of female that scrubs its snout in the urogenital region of male and exhibits brief courtship-like movements.