Finding Love on the Reef

Love is not just for the birds and the bees. Just like us, ocean creatures exhibit a remarkable array of behaviours to uniquely express affection and commitment. While finding a partner on this vast blue planet may seem like a daunting task, some creatures rival even the most passionate human romances to woo their mate. Some species perform intricate and elaborate dances, some offer gifts or put on a show and some will show a devotion above their own most basic needs.

Let’s fall in love with the adorable ways ocean species show each other love and affection.

The seahorse courtship ritual has earned this little fish a reputation as one of the most romantic underwater creatures. Two would-be lovers greet in a nose-to-nose embrace and twist their tails together before they perform a delicate dance by swinging and encircling each other for hours. As chameleons of the ocean, they may also change colour during this courtship, varying between lighter and darker shades.

During the mating season, seahorses typically remain attached and faithful to one another for one breeding season. Unlike most species, it is the male seahorse who becomes pregnant and carry the offspring. There has been speculation that some species become lifelong mates in a remarkable display of monogamy. Due to their limited swimming abilities and low population density, it is extremely difficult for a bonded seahorse to find a new mate.

Romance is at the heart of French culture. It’s little wonder then that French angelfish are one of the few fish species believed to be monogamous for life. Every day is Valentine’s Day for French angelfish who are rarely seen alone. This pairing helps them travel, hunt and defend their territory from other species. If they are ever separated, French angelfish reunite by circling each other in a behaviour called “carouseling” to resolidify their bond.

If first impressions count, the pufferfish tops the list to impress their crush. They might be famous for their defensive nature, but they have a tender heart. Some species of pufferfish use their fins to create intricate and elaborate sand art on the ocean floor to attract females. They can take hours to make these stunning ‘crop circles’ in a display of courtship and dedication. If the female is impressed, she will lay her eggs at the centre of the circle for the male to fertilise.

Romantic serenades are the preferred flirting expression of humpback whales. As a species that relies heavily on sound to communicate in water, male humpback whales will compose and sing romantic songs to woo their lady. The risk is other males are ready to imitate successful song styles to win over the female’s attention.

In waters where competition for love is high, researchers have observed that this species are flexible with their mating strategies and may opt for non-singing tactics which can lead to aggressive behaviour. Males will temporarily escort a female in an effort to breed with her, which can attract additional males and form a competitive brawl. They aim to displace the current escort from his enviable position by physically striking challengers with pectoral fins, tail flukes or by ramming with their head.

Female humpback whales display their own flirtatious behaviour by breaching, head lunging, fluke and fin slapping on the surface to attract males and encourage their approach. Males will return the conversation with surface activity of their own.

With his bright orange beak and a waddle in his step, the male gentoo penguin approaches his future betrothed holding a gift. In his beak, he offers her a pebble, a prized commodity during mating season on the Antarctic landscape. If she says yes, she will lay the gift in her nest and together they will build a pebble fortress in which to lay their eggs. Their union functions through teamwork as they take turns incubating eggs for over a month, until the chicks are born.

Rumour has it, male penguins will scour the land in search of a perfect pebble and the success of finding a mate relies on its quality. According to penguin researchers however, that’s not entirely true and any pebble will do. In fact, crafty penguins have been known to steal pebbles from other couple’s nests to gift to their partner.