| Main Ref. | Trewavas, E., 1983 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | external |
| Mating type | polygyny |
| Spawning frequency | no obvious seasonal peak |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Yes. Ref. Trewavas, E., 1983 |
| Reproductive guild |
bearers external brooders |
| Parental Care | maternal |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Sexual maturity is reached at 3-6 months depending on temperature, reaching about 30 g. Reproduction occurs only when temperatures are over 20°C. Several yearly spawnings every 30 days. Females incubate eggs inside their mouths (approximately for a week) where larvae hatch and remain until the vitellus is reabsorved. Egg size 1.5 mm, larval length at hatching 4 mm. Spawns in firm sand in water from 0.6 to 2 m deep of lakes (Ref. 2) and inshore waters (Ref. 55624). Males set up and defend territory which are visited by the females. Courtship lasts several hours. A single male probably fertilises the eggs of more than one female (Ref. 55624). Eggs are shed in batches in shallow nest and fertilized by male. Each batch of eggs is picked up into oral cavity by female. Females solely involved in broodcare. Female carries up to 200 eggs in her mouth where the larvae hatch and remain until after the yolk-sac is absorbed. |
| Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |