Mandarin’s Mating?

[StrictlyBusiness]

I have two, what I would consider, juvenile mandarin fish, both are captive bred, bought them both at about 2 cm long. One male and one female. The female has had a swollen belly for over a month, but it seems to vary. So not sure if she is laying eggs or not. I caught them doing this dance last weekend as the lights went out but couldn’t find my filter to film it. Caught them again tonight but I was prepared. Here is a photo of the female and her belly.




And here is what I believe is them mating. Please let me know if I’m wrong.

View attachment 20260409_213607_592E1D09-9C2D-415B-AF2C-C7EBD24535C0.mov

 

[Imrahilwjz]

@Paul B

 

[Paul B]

This is how they look when they spawn

 

[StrictlyBusiness]

I've done some research and found a video of them doing this in the wild. the white cloud after is exactly what you think it is lol

 

[afboundguy]

I have two, what I would consider, juvenile mandarin fish, both are captive bred, bought them both at about 2 cm long. One male and one female. The female has had a swollen belly for over a month, but it seems to vary. So not sure if she is laying eggs or not. I caught them doing this dance last weekend as the lights went out but couldn’t find my filter to film it. Caught them again tonight but I was prepared. Here is a photo of the female and her belly.




And here is what I believe is them mating. Please let me know if I’m wrong.

Hard to tell from the video as it's dark and blue on my phone but it looks like it and that's what my pair do when they mate.

 

[breathing underwater]

Mine do this paired dance most evenings around lights out, and rise nearly to the surface in my 22" deep tank then"flick" back down towards the reef together. I'm not sure they actually release eggs each time though. If so they are too small for me to make out but some of the time it is followed by a feeding frenzy from my chromis school so at least some of the time they must be. Other nights no response from the chromis though so maybe they are just practicing.

TLDR, yes it sounds like yours are spawning, congrats on some happy mandarins!