The nursery mouth

Angel Fitor's Image

A female yellow sand cichlid releases its fry from the shelter of its mouth.

After spawning, a female carries the eggs in its mouth for about three weeks as the fry develop. Once they are ready to swim, the fry are released. From that moment onward, parents will shelter the fry in their mouths when they need rest or protection.


Behind the lens

Angel Fitor

Angel Fitor

Spain

Angel is a natural history photographer, photojournalist and writer with a self-taught background in marine science. He has been featured in publications such as National Geographic and has been awarded in World Press Photo, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the Big Picture. He usually works as a stills photographer, cameraman and natural history consultant to leading broadcasting companies.

Image details

  • Nikon D200
  • Tokina 10–17mm f3.5–4.5 lens
  • 1/125 sec at f10  •   ISO 200  •   Anthis Nexus housing  •   INON strobes  •   tripod + 3m self-made extension  •   self-made remote trigger
  • Lake Tanganyika, Tanzania
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

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