I mean do fish interact with their babies? Do they protect them from predators? Are there male and female salmon? Crazy question I know but I;m curious.
2006-10-23 14:13:16 · 11 answers · asked by Chris M 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Depends on the type of fish.
On one extreme, some species will eat their offspring at the first chance, while on the other extreme, some species will fiercely defend them (to the point of killing all other fish in the tank to protect the fry from predators).
In certain species (namely certain cichlids), both parents defend the fry.
2006-10-23 15:25:17 · answer #1 · answered by Kay B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, you asked 3 questions there!
Some fish DO have maternal instincts and protect their babies from predators.
Yes, there are male and female salmon. Salmon are not one of the fish that protect their young. With almost all salmon, females lay their eggs, the males fertilize them, and both parents die. It's nature's way.
2006-10-23 14:25:33 · answer #2 · answered by reederx13 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry Jay, it is not usually the male fish that carries the eggs, it is the female. The male's duties are to protect the area and the female until the eggs hatch and she spits the the babies. Then they both do protection duty until the babies (fry) are strong enough to evade predators on their own.
This is generally the way of the cichlids, both African and South American. I have 19 tanks of cichlids and have yet to see a male carrying eggs. They will eat any eggs they find, however.
2006-10-23 15:33:51 · answer #3 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fish do have "maternal" instincts. Bass for instance scoop out a nest where eggs are fertilised and hatched. The adult then stays around to protect the fry as they hatch. Adult bass will attack any thing that comes near the "nest". Other fish actually carry their young around in their mouth until they are old enough to survive on their own. Strangely this is usually the male parent.
2006-10-23 14:25:56 · answer #4 · answered by Jay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally fish just move on after laying eggs or live bearing. Other fish such as Shamu the killer whale nurture the offspring. Aquarium fish mostly eat the fry before they have a chance to mature unless there are good hiding places to give them time to grow.
2006-10-23 14:24:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-09 08:35:49 · answer #6 · answered by Christopher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the more intelligent fish all guard and protect their nests and their babies, so yes, fish do have maternal instincts
2006-10-23 21:16:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salmoncrazy
2016-10-02 10:24:21 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most don't , Discus feed them a milky secretion through their skin
2006-10-23 14:15:25 · answer #9 · answered by Jamie J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when my guppy had her fry she tried to eat them.
2006-10-23 14:22:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋