Sunday 5 November 2017

Breeding strategies in fish

Breeding Fish successfully is a very complex process and requires understanding and knowledge. Breeders should be aware that each species of fish is different, and has different requirements. With Ovoviviparous livebearers, the eggs are fertilized internally and they will then hatch inside the female and she will give birth to them. Viviparous livebearers will have their young develop internally without an egg and are nourished by an umbilical cord.

Nest building fish make what are known as bubble nests on the surface of the water made up of mucous and sometimes plant matter. 

Open substrate spawners lay their eggs on objects like an FLT stone and will guard them ferociously until the fry has hatched.

Cave substrate spawners will lay their eggs in caves and crevices and will still heavily guard their eggs against predators.

Egg scattering involves the female being chased by the male and involves the male nipping the vent area of the female to stimulate the release of eggs. Whilst the eggs are being released the male will fertilize them as they fall and the eggs will be scattered throughout the environment.


There is no parental care involved with egg scattering fish. The fish can be left to develop and mature on their own.

Mouth Brooding

This is a breeding strategy used to breed fish successfully in a natural environment. This strategy involves the female laying a single egg at a time and the male will then fertilize the egg, the female will then collect the egg and the process repeats until all the eggs are fertilized. The eggs will develop for around 3 weeks until they are independent. This breeding strategy involves a lot of parental care.   This article was written by a veterinary student studying veterinary medicine in Europe.



No comments:

Post a Comment