So last night, as I sat watching my ponies playing, I noticed that my large male and his mate were doing the "happy dance". I ran to get my camera and took some shots. I apologize in advance. The glass was not clean and 1/2 of the lights were off. The images are a little "grainy", but are, in my opinion, amazing none the less.
At first, the pair locks tails and kind of "pal around" together for some time. They then rise, in the water column where he flexes his pouch and shows her that he is ready. This first image is NOT the boy who got preggers last night. By the time I got my camera, they were done with that part of their dance. In any case, I wanted to show you an example. Here is Ponyboy doing the same.
In any case, shortly thereafter, the female will position herself above her man and lower down upon his open pouch. As she does this, he begins to make jerky motions, flexing the pouch and creating a suction/vacuum effect taking in the gelatinous egg mass.
Ponyboy, pictured above, has a very well developed, large, and strong pouch. The other boy, albeit a bigger fish, has a more narrow pouch as it tapers towards the tail and has only had a few broods himself. As they continue to breed, their pouches get stretched more and more. You can see that Ponyboy is my most active breeder. His brother has to work harder to receive the eggs.
In the image below, you can see his mate leaving the area and watch as the male repeatedly flexes his pouch. About 1/4 of the egg mass is still external to the pouch. He is trying to pull it inward. The egg mass is orange and looks like a "cone" sticking out of his belly.
In the next picture, you can tell that he's begun to work the mass into the pouch. It's much like a little kid forcing a belch by inhaling air into his belly. He's been able to bring in just a bit more with the last "contraction".
You can see even more "progression" in this shot. He's just about done.
Finally, under the watchful eye of momma, he is done with the task and can rest. You could actually see the change in his respiration after the hard work.
Now the fun begins. If history holds true, on Wednesday morning, November 1st, I will have hundreds of additional hungry mouths to feed.
Hey Dave, that's way cool. Thanks for the pics and the narrative. I like that phrase "pal around". It gives a whole new twist on the romantic thing. Like, "Hey, baby, want to lock tails and pal around"?
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
dave ive got to hand it to you mate, the horses are not easy to keep, and you seem to do it with ease! thanks for that slide show,i found it most interesting, i'll admit, i haven't seen that action before! thanks bud!
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