| Main Ref. | Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman, 1973 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | external |
| Mating type | |
| Spawning frequency | one clear seasonal peak per year |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Yes. Ref. Morrow, J.E., 1980 |
| Reproductive guild |
guarders nesters |
| Parental Care | paternal |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | During the spawning season, both males and females set up territories which are defended against intruders of either sex. The male builds the nest with plant fragments and binds it together with a kidney secretion. The nest has two openings. The male then entices the female into the nest with quick dancing movements. An enticed female follows the male to his nest, enters it through one opening, deposits 50 to 80 eggs, then leaves through the other opening (Ref. 1998, 27547). In nests with one opening, the female enters, turns around, deposits her eggs and leaves (Ref. 27547). The male then enters the nest and fertilizes the eggs as it swims toward the other opening. More than one female may deposit eggs to the nest. The male guards one opening and aerates the eggs (Ref. 1998). Soon after releasing a clutch of eggs, a female feeds voraciously and in a day or so, is ready to be courted again (Ref. 27547). Sometimes the nest falls apart before the eggs hatch. The male may build a new nest nearby and transfer the eggs to it. At hatching, the male enters the nest to remove egg remains. Newly hatched larvae move to the top of the nest and settle on it. The male may construct a nursery above the nest. As the larvae become more active, the male catches them in his mouth and spits them back to the nest or nursery. As the larvae become more active, the male loses interest in them, and may build a new nest and repeat the process or the breeding season ends (Ref. 28993). Eggs hatch in 6-7 days (Ref. 59043). |
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