Main Ref. | Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman, 1973 |
Mode | dioecism |
Fertilization | external |
Mating type | |
Spawning frequency | |
Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
Batch spawner | Ref. |
Reproductive guild |
guarders nesters |
Parental Care | paternal |
Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Nests are built by one or both sexes. After a period of caressing each other with their barbels, male and female settle over the nest, face opposite directions (while maintaining body contact) and spawn. Although eggs are cared for by one or both parents, there have been reports of parents eating their own eggs. Caring entails fanning by the paired fins, moving and stirring by the barbels, and may be picked up and ejected from the mouth; this ensures hatching. |
Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |