Larger fins to attract the males?

[CACAdmin]

A study has suggested that some cichlid females may develop disproportionately large pelvic fins to attract a mate. The pelvic fins of P. taeniatus are larger and differ in color to that of the males. Males have been shown to prefer females with larger pelvic fins which the females fan out during courtship.

Story here (http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=07386142951).

[bae3]

Makes sense, since in this genus and related ones it's mainly the female who courts the male. Females are more colorful and have more elaborate display behaviour than males, much of which works by color changes and posture to make them look like their bellies are larger and fuller of eggs than they really are. The pelvic fins are involved in this 'advertising'. The color changes use the same techniques artists use to make a flat surface look round.