Biology of Finfish and Shellfish

4.6.3. Nest Spawners

Before releasing eggs, fishes construct nests. These nests could be any material and any shape i.e., pit or cavity or depression. Once the nest is built, the female releases the eggs into the nests and the eggs get fertilized and development takes place inside the nests. The nest is guarded by both the parents. Depending on the kind of material used for building the nests, there are several categories.

1. Lithophils : They use gravel; the nests are guarded by males e.g.: cichlids and minnows
2. Phytophils: They build their nests by using plant material e.g.: Bowfin.
3. Psammophils: They build their nests on sandy bottom. e.g.: cichlosoma spp.
4. Aphrophils: They build their nest by bubbles. Bubble nest builder, Siamese fighter (Betta splendens) and some other fishes like gourami make their nest with the help of froth (foam/scum).
5. Speleophils : These fishes build their nests in natural or constructed cavities or burrows. e.g.: cat fishes.