 There are several different mating systems among teleosts . Some species are promiscuous , where both males and females breed with multiple partners and there are no obvious mate choices . This has been recorded in Baltic herring , guppies , Nassau groupers , humbug damselfish , cichlids and creole wrasses . Polygamy , where one sex has multiple partners can come in many forms . <unk> consists of one adult female breeding with multiple males , which only breed with that female . This is rare among teleosts , and fish in general , but is found in the clownfish . In addition , it may also exist to an extent among anglerfish , where some females have more than one male attached to them . Polygyny , where one male breeds with multiple females , is much more common . This is recorded in sculpins , sunfish , darters , damselfish and cichlids where multiple females may visit a territorial male that guards and takes care of eggs and young . Polygyny may also involve a male guarding a harem of several females . This occurs in coral reef species , such as damselfishes , wrasses , <unk> , <unk> , triggerfishes and <unk> . 
