Yes, fish babies (or fry) are typically born alive. Depending on the species, the fry may hatch from eggs or they may emerge from the female’s body fully formed. Many species of fish lay eggs and the embryos inside the eggs develop until they are ready to hatch.
As the eggs mature, the embryo is nourished by a yolk sac. Once the fry have hatched, they become independent and must find food to survive. In species of livebearing fish, the fry are typically born already formed and able to forage for themselves shortly after their birth.
In some species, the fry are cared for by the parents for a short period of time. Overall, the majority of fish species give birth to live babies, although there are some exceptions.
Can a fish give live birth?
Yes, fish can give live birth. This method of reproduction is called “viviparity” and is seen in various fish species, including some freshwater bony fish, sharks, and rays. These fish become pregnant and give birth to live young.
Viviparity is different than ovoviviparity, where the eggs remain in the mother until they are ready to hatch, without a true gestation period. During viviparity, the young receive nutrients from the mother through a structure called the placenta, just like in mammals.
Different species develop their own unique ways of providing nutrients and oxygen from mother to young and these processes are still being studied by scientists. Viviparity is an example of the endless adaptations and diversity in the animal kingdom.
What fishes give birth alive?
Many species of fish give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Most of these are viviparous fish, a group which includes sharks, skates, and several varieties of ray. These species have a placenta-like organ that assists in the development of the embryo inside the mother’s body.
Popular viviparous fish include guppies, mollies, swordtails, angelfish, drumfish, rasboras, and wrasse.
Other species of fish are ovoviviparous. These fish still lay eggs, but they remain inside the female’s body until they hatch. After they have hatched, the eggshells may stay inside the mother, or they may be expelled from the body.
Common ovoviviparous fish include the sea horse, pipefish, BOXfish, and seahorse.
Finally, some species of fish are oviparous and lay eggs that must be fertilized outside of the body. The eggs must then be cared for by the parents until they hatch. Examples of oviparous fish include salmon, trout, and many species of cichlids.
Can fish give birth without eggs?
No, fish cannot give birth without eggs. All fish reproduce and give birth to their young by laying eggs, although the way the eggs are fertilized and the processes involved may differ depending on the species.
Most fertilization among fish is achieved externally, meaning that eggs are released and then fertilized with sperm in the surrounding water. These eggs are then left to incubate in the water and mature until they hatch into larvae.
Some species of fish, such as krakens and livebearers, develop a form of internal fertilization, meaning that eggs are fertilized inside the female’s reproductive system and deposited directly into the water once fully formed.
In this way, the fish do not actually lay eggs, but they depend on their eggs to reproduce their species just the same.
How long is a fish pregnant?
It depends on the type of fish. Some fish species can become pregnant and give birth within a matter of hours, while other species may take several weeks to several months to gestate their young. For example, female guppies typically become pregnant within 24-30 hours, however, the gestation period can last between 21-30 days.
On the other hand, a salmon’s gestation may last between 14-18 months.
How do fish deliver babies?
Fish typically lay eggs that are fertilized externally, which means that the mother and father fish must come in contact with one another for fertilization to take place. The fertilized eggs are then released into the water either as a single egg or in large batches.
Depending on the species, the length of time between fertilization and hatching can range from a few days to several weeks. Some species, such as the blackstripe topminnow, give birth to live young. This is done by the female fish pushing out the young fish from her body.
The newborns may be independent right away or may be kept in the mother’s mouth or pouch for a period of time, depending on the species.
Do all fish give eggs?
No, not all fish give eggs. Only about 40% of all fish species are egg layers. Most egg-laying fish are freshwater fish, such as Carp, Catfish, and Loaches, while many of the marine species, such as Sharks and Rays, don’t lay eggs.
Additionally, there are many fish species that reproduce through the process of live-bearing, which means that the young are born alive instead of as eggs. Examples of live-bearing fish include Guppies, Mollies, Swordtails, and Shark Catfish.
How do baby fish survive?
Baby fish, or fry, are typically just hatched and have not yet developed many of the adaptations of fully grown adults. They must rely on their external and internal features to survive. Externally, some of these features include flexible bodies which helps them to squeeze through tight spaces to hide from predators, as well as camouflaged coloration.
Internally, fry will often have large yolks sacs to help provide them with food for the first few days after hatching, as well as sensitive mouths to help fill the gaps in their still developing diet.
The fry of some species also benefit from their mother’s presence in the early weeks of life. Many species of fish offer some form of maternal care, such as the protection of schools or eggs and larvae.
This maternal care can often be the difference between life and death in the early weeks of a fry’s life.
To put it simply, baby fish survive through the use of their combination of external and internal features, including their flexible bodies, camouflaged coloration, large yokk sacs and sensitive mouths.
Additionally, the maternal care of their mothers can be an incredibly beneficial tool for their own survival.
Can baby fish survive in a tank?
Yes, baby fish can survive in a tank, given the proper environment and care. To ensure survival of baby fish, a tank must be properly cycled, meaning ammonia and nitrite levels are zero, nitrate levels are below 20ppm, and there is sufficient oxygenation.
The tank should also be filtered (canister or hang-on-back is best) and heated to the appropriate temperature, depending on which species of baby fish are being kept. Additionally, the tank should be large enough to ensure the baby fish have enough space to swim and grow, and matching sizes of adult fish can be introduced at the same time to ensure they have companions while they grow.
Finally, the tank should be regularly cleaned of debris and waste, and a healthy diet of vegetables, high quality fish foods, and frozen foods should be provided for optimum health and growth for the baby fish.
Do fish abandon their babies?
No, typically fish do not abandon their babies. Instead, many fish species are considered devoted parents and are very protective of their fry, or baby fish. Parental behavior in fish is seen in species such as cichlids, sticklebacks, livebearers, catfish and jawfishes.
Generally, males are the ones to guard and defend the eggs until they hatch, while the females take care of the eggs until they are ready to hatch. In some fish species, both the mother and father will care for their fry.
The parents provide food and protection for the fry until they are able to fend for themselves. Some species even form schools and stay together as a family for some time after hatching.
How long can baby fish stay out of water?
Baby fish can generally stay out of water for a short period of time. Depending on the species and type of fish, fish may be able to survive for up to two hours if kept moist. Some fish such as European eels may survive up to 24 hours if kept moist.
Keeping a fish out of water longer than this can significantly reduce their chances of survival as prolonged periods of time without water will cause them to quickly become dehydrated and die. When removing a fish out of water, it is important to provide them with a safe and moist environment as moist paper towel or damp cloth can be used to help keep the fish hydrated.
Placing the fish in a cold-water bath with some oxygen is also beneficial. It is also recommended that the fish have access to oxygen, which can be easily done by using a bubbler or air pump.
Will my fish eat the baby fish?
It depends on whether the adult fish has predatory tendencies or not. Many adult fish will prey on their own young, while others may be more accepting and treat baby fish like any other fish in the aquarium.
If the adult fish has a history of aggressively chasing or eating other fish, then it is likely that it will also eat the baby fish. A good way to mitigate this risk is to ensure that your adult fish has plenty of food, that the tank is well maintained, and that the baby fish have enough places to hide.
Additionally, some fish species are more likely to be peaceful than others, so take your time to research the species of fish you currently have and decide if they would be a good fit for living alongside others.
Do fresh water fish lay eggs?
Yes, fresh water fish do lay eggs. Depending on the species, the eggs may be laid in a variety of locations, such as on aquatic plants, rocks, or on the bottom of the river, stream, or lake. The number of eggs laid can also vary greatly, with some fish species able to lay up to tens of thousands of eggs at one time.
After being fertilized and laid, the eggs will normally hatch after several weeks and the fry can grow to become young adult fish.
Do salmon lay eggs in freshwater?
Yes, salmon lay eggs in freshwater. Salmon are anadromous fish, which means they migrate from freshwater to the ocean to reproduce. During the breeding season, they move upstream and can be found in coastal rivers, estuary waters, and freshwater streams.
During this time, they lay thousands of eggs in rocky, shallow areas. Salmon eggs are laid over several days, often during the night. The redds in which female salmon lay eggs are usually covered with gravel or contain some kind of valley-like structure, so that their eggs are sufficiently hidden from predators.
After spawning, adults typically return to the sea where they will feed and live until the next breeding season rolls around.
Do fish lay eggs on the glass of the tank?
No, fish typically do not lay eggs on the glass of the tank. In most cases, the preferred breeding sites of the fish will be determined by their natural habitat, such as on substrate, like gravel or sand, on a rock, or in some cases, plants.
Most female fish will clear a space on the chosen location and lay her eggs for the male to fertilize. Some fish may also guard the eggs until they hatch. Since the glass of the tank is not a natural breeding surface, it is unlikely that fish will lay eggs there.
