Life Cycle
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Distinct pairing during copulation (Ref. 205). The pair swims side to side either head to head or head to tail. Their bodies flex as they swim making their caudal areas stroke each other. The male then makes slow undulating side to side movement interrupted by short, quick twitches signalling deposition of the eggs. Fertilization probably occurred between the time of release of eggs and the depositions. Deposition of an entire clutch of eggs takes from about 20 30 minutes in 3 minute intervals (Ref. 51567).
Trophic Strategy
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Spends its entire life cycle in the beds of Thalassia. The major food items are Amphipoda, Isopoda, Ostracoda and Harpacticoda (Ref. 51567).
Biology
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Spend the entire cycle in beds of turtle grass, Thalassia (Ref. 51567) usually attached to the underside of the blades of the seagrass (Ref. 7251). Feed on small crustaceans: Isopoda, Amphipoda, Harpacticoida, and Ostracoda (Ref. 5521). Multiple spawner (Ref. 51567).
