Main Ref. | Hol?ík, J., P. Banarescu and D. Evans, 1989 |
Mode | dioecism |
Fertilization | external |
Mating type | polyandry |
Spawning frequency | one clear seasonal peak per year |
Batch spawner | Ref. |
Reproductive guild |
nonguarders open water/substratum egg scatterers |
Parental Care | none |
Description of life cycle and mating behavior | During breeding, males arrive at the spawning area ahead of the females. One or two of these males chases a ripe female as soon as it arrives in the area (polyandry) (Ref. 6258). The queue of males maybe longer composed of about 15 to 25 individuals, but only two prod their snouts against the female's belly (Ref. 205). After rounds of curved course through the interlacing branches near the surface (Ref. 205), males fertilize the egg ribbon as the female lays them over weeds or other submerged objects (Ref. 6258). Eggs grouped in long white ribbons (up to 1 m) are found over submerged objects (Ref. 41678). Eggs hatch in about 8 to 16 days at normal temperatures (Ref. 6258). Males mature at 2-3 years and females at 4 years. Spawning, in the Northern hemisphere, happens in spring in waters with temperatures between 7-8°C. Eggs are laid in sticky strings becoming fixed to aquatic plants and rocks. Incubation lasts about 1- 8 days at 1- 3°. Egg size 2.0-2.5mm, larval length at hatching 5mm. |
Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |