1. Readiness for spawning-This stage, varIable In duration, occurs
at the onset of the prespawning period. Body coloration often indicates
the motivational state of the sexual partners. The male's nuptial coloration
tends to become homogeneously more brilliant. The nonoestrus female
has characteristic markings consisting of two or three blackish horizontal
stripes alternating with lighter stripes of similar width. In contrast,
a ripe and receptive female may be IdentifIed by loss of the horizontal
stripes, presence of darker coloration, and a series of lighter dorsoventral
bars.