UPY Behaviour - Highly Commended
Kenji Sato
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UPY Behaviour - Highly Commended
'The Birthday'
Kenji Sato
The male black cardinalfish is a mouth brooder. I have been able to observe the parents' diligent care and growth of the eggs, so I was eager to see the moment they would hatch. At first, I did not know when the eggs would hatch, but through observation I came to know when and how it would occur. At the moment of hatching, the father swims upward and spits out his many babies in an instant. It happens quickly and it have taken me several years to get this image. I was moved to see the father guarding the eggs and the moment of hatching. I hope that many babies will grow, and survive.
Judge's comment: Cardinalfish are mouthbrooders and this image shows the moment the baby fish are released. There seem far more babies than could fit in the mouth, it is hard to believe so many can come from one fish!
Alex Mustard
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