The poatspawning period was quantitatively different from the other
two periods in several ways. The most evident difference occurs in the
older group and is due to a more abrupt shlft from male sexual behavior
to aggressive behavior. Bouts were shorter and fewer than in the inexperienced
partners. Only during this period did the experienced male
lnltfate a higher percent of bouts than did the female. Bouts initiated by
the inexperienced male increased to 34.9%, two times greater than during
the preepawning period and three times that of the spawning period. The
JOlJDIV fish otten initiated more sexual bouts between the final successful
spawning bout and the onset of male aggression than did the experIenced
ft8h. Interval duration between bouts was greatest dUring this period,
eapeclally in experienced f18h. prlmarily because of the female's hesitancy
to return to the nest and initiate sexual activIties.