both fish tilted laterally so that their vents are close. Both fish shudder as eggs and sperm are released simultaneously. The male may turn and check on each release of eggs before resuming spawning position. Spawning with multiple females is common.
EGGS
Females normally release about one-half of their eggs during the first spawn and half of the remaining during the second spawn. A third spawn up to 1 month later is common.
Females average about 4,000 eggs per pound of body weight; but the number can be vary. Up to 80,000 eggs from one female have been reported. The average is much smaller. Larger fish tend to have
larger eggs and therefore larger fry; but fewer eggs per pound of body weight.
Usually at spawning, the weight of eggs in females will be 10 percent or more of her body weight. During the spawning season, the male does not eat and many males die each year due to their poor body condition prior to the spawning period.
Males attempt to guard the nest until the eggs have hatched and guard the fry until they disperse, which may be a period of two weeks or more, depending on temperatures. In nature, most nests are lost to predation if the male is not in excellent condition.
Eggs hatch in 2 to 4 days depending on temperature. Nesting success is reduced, if the temperature drops below 60° F during cold snaps.
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