| Main Ref. | Trewavas, E., 1983 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | in mouth |
| Mating type | |
| Spawning frequency | no obvious seasonal peak |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Ref. |
| Reproductive guild |
bearers external brooders |
| Parental Care | |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Reproduction probably triggered by the rains (Ref. 2771), with the time of maximum spawning activity coinciding with the wettest months of the year (Ref. 363). Males form a crater-like spawning nest without a distinct wall (Ref. 27292). The pit is about 30cm in diameter and 10cm deep, and is probably made in the early morning (Ref. 27292). Ovaries show that a female may have a succession of three or more broods in a spawning period; brooding females often shelter in weed beds and swampy places (Ref. 2, 363). Males defend their breeding territory (Ref. 2) for weeks or on and off for several months, while females only make short visits to the spawning grounds and leave the territory immediately after spawning (Ref. 363). Males eat little while actively guarding the nest (Ref. 363). Papyrus swamp channels (Ref. 363, 34921, 55020) and beaches with weed grown swamps (Ref. 34921) function as nursery areas. Young become independent at a length of about 1.5cm (Ref. 2, 363)by which size the yolk sac is occluded and they have strated to feed (Ref. 363), and at about 12cm TL they move from the nursery areas to the open water (Ref. 2). |
| Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |