Glossary

spawning

The act of releasing and fertilising eggs in fishes.

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Related terms

amphidromy
A form of diadromy in which fishes migrate between fresh and marine water as part of their life cycle for some purpose other than spawning, e.g., newly-hatched, arvae may be swept downstream into the sea where they spend a period of time before migrating back into fresh water to mature and eventually reproduce.
batch fecundity
The number of eggs released by a serial spawner during a single spawning event.
batch spawner
A fish species which deposite eggs on more than a single occasion throughout a particular spawning season rather than within a short period.
breeding cycle
In fishes, the period of time between hatching and first spawning within a particular generataion.
breeding tubercle
Raised, epidermal structures developing on the head, body or fin rays during the spawning season in some fishes. Usually occur only in males, and sometimes referred to as 'nuptial tubercules'.
clutch
Used in ichthyology to refer to the number of eggs deposited in a single spawning event, particularly when some form of nest is used.
contact organ
Dermal, bony growth or spicule normally protruding from one or more fin rays or scale margins. Present on parts of the body or fins that come into contact with the female during spawning in males of some fishes.
courtship
Any behavioural interaction between male and female individuals which leads to or initiates spawning.
courtship ritual
Complex, genetically-determined sequence of behaviour, usually employing a combination of visual, auditory and chemical stimuli taking place before spawning. Either or both sexes may be the protagonist.
cuckoldry
Behavioural strategy seen in certain nest-building fishes in which one or more males that are not an accepted part of a spawning event fertilise some eggs. Such individuals are commonly referred to as sneaker, sneaky or satellite males.
egg scatterer
A species spawning above the bottom which scatters demersal eggs randomly.
nuclear family
Post-spawning behaviour in which parental duties are shared by both male and female.
oviposit
To deposit an egg during a spawning event,
ovipositor
Tubular structure used to deposit eggs in some fishes. Formed by an extension of the genital opening and usually concealed but sometimes becomes visible prior to spawning. Also referred to as the genital papilla.
serial spawner
A fish species spawning in multiple bursts within a given period, typically in response to some environmental stimulus or cue, e.g., rainfall.
sneaker male
Subdominant male individual of certain fish species that attempts to sneak into the nest of a spawning pair and fertilise deposited eggs. Typically smaller in size and/or possessing reduced colouration compared with a normal male. Also known as a sneaky male.
spawning migration
Migration of fishes to a spawning site or area, occurring in certain fishes. Variable in extent.
spawning substrate
Particular substrate type required by a given egg-laying fish species for the purpose of spawning.
synchronous spawning
Spawning behaviour in which all individuals of a species spawn in unison, normally as a result of some environmental trigger or cue.
t-position
Stance adopted by a spawning pair in certain fish species in which the two individuals come together in such a way as to resemble a capital letter 'T'. Typical in some callichthyid catfishes, for example.
tubercle
A small, rounded, epidermal projection or protuberance present on the head, body, or fins of some fishes. Often developing temporarily during the spawning season and/or in males only.
ventral-fin basket
Vernacular nerm used to describe the post-spawning behaviour of cupping or clamping of the ventral fins in order to transport fertilised eggs. Exhibited by females of some Corydoras species, for example.

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