Do you want to know how often do catfish lay eggs? Catfish has over 2000 species and most of them stay in freshwater. The catfishes differ from one to the other according to colors, shapes, and sizes. Most of the catfish prefer lakes and rivers to survive. However, some of them prefer saltwater and brackish water. The reproduction process of the catfish is laying eggs. They lay eggs in shallow regions. Eventually, where the fish hatch into baby fish after two weeks.
However, some of them choose the live-bearing process for reproduction instead of egg-laying methods. They select the process when they discover unfriendly conditions. Such as winter months when the weather becomes extremely cold, temperatures go down 10 degree Celsius or 50 degrees Fahrenheit. And, when facing deficiency of period.
Through the content, I will provide all the information about how often do catfish lay eggs. Also, what is a catfish? How many times do catfish lay eggs in a year, what is the best time to lay eggs in one year? In addition, how many eggs lay in a year in a catfish? Let’s deep dive into the content.
What Type of Fish is Called Catfish?
Catfish are fish that have slender bodies, long and barbels around the fish’s mouths. Flathead catfish survive in ponds, rivers and lakes. Saltwater and freshwater catfish are two types of catfish.
Freshwater catfish can be found in northern Mexico, Asia, southern US, Africa and South America. These fishes are staying in ponds and rivers. Also, the fish can be found in fast-moving water and slow-moving water.
Saltwater catfish can be found in subtropical and tropical areas in the world. Some survive in both saltwater and freshwater, brackish water. Brackish water means a mixture of both saltwater and freshwater.
How Many Times do Catfish Lay Eggs a Year?
For most species, the catfish lay eggs once a year. Very few species of catfish lay eggs twice a year. However, the female catfish can lay eggs once a time up to 50 thousand eggs.
The first spawning of catfish as soon as at the age of two years. And late spawning as six years old. Their proficiency to spawn depends on the ability of conserving spawning sites, water temperature and weight. Also, how much they can produce depends on their age and size.
The male catfishes can fertilize those eggs with sperm anywhere in the water before hatching. However, the female catfish can’t lay eggs anywhere. They search for a suitable place to lay eggs. Once she found her desired place to lay eggs, she released the eggs into the place. Before releasing eggs into the water they flaunt to attract males to fertilise their eggs.
Perfect Time for Catfish to Lay Eggs in The Year:
Some species of catfish prefer to breed than others. Most of the catfish such as major channels and blue breeds commerce spawning in the Spring and summer seasons. Because, when the temperature becomes 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit or 21-29 degrees Celsius.
On the contrary, flathead catfish prefer a temperature rate of 66-75 degrees Fahrenheit to lay eggs. Because they mostly like the cold weather. Those times and temperatures of the year are perfect for catfish to lay eggs.
What is The Range of Producing Eggs For a Catfish?
Laying eggs for catfish is different by species. The catfish can lay eggs up to thousands of eggs at a time. From a survey report, a blue catfish can lay down eggs at a time of around 2000-25000 thousand catfish eggs. And a flathead catfish can lay down around 25000 – 100000 catfish eggs at a time. Producing catfish eggs depends on the catfish’s age and size. A mature catfish with a vast size can produce huge eggs at a time.
When it is time to lay eggs the female catfish searches for a suitable place to lay eggs. After reaching the safe place they release the eggs to hatch.
On the other hand, the male catfish go out to create a nest that is either out of vegetation or rocks. That means they discover a hidden place to release eggs until the eggs hatch. The hidden nest usually exists in vegetation or shallow water. Also, find it near dawn or dusk. A hidden nest is contained by one female laying eggs.
When the time to spawn for a female she demonstrates her body to attract males. If the male catfish falls attracted, then he nips at her tail and fins. Then the female catfish uses her mouth portions of the body to keep male fins. And she wraps her around the male catfish from behind. Then they stay like this for the entire day.
When she commences spawning many of the males group around a female catfish to fertilise her eggs before disclosing them into the water for hatch. The process is called multiple mating. Because there are a large number of male catfish with single female catfish in one spawning season.
Final Thoughts on How Often do Catfish Lay Eggs?
My above content is on how often do catfish lay eggs. Here I disclosed all significant information about catfish laying eggs and their habitat. Catfish is a common fish that is found in ponds, rivers, lakes, and streams around the globe. Usually, there are two types of catfish such as saltwater and freshwater catfish. For most fishes, they lay eggs once a year. They most commonly lay eggs two seasons in a year such as spring and summer at 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. A catfish can lay 10000-25000 eggs at a time.
An adult male catfish create a hidden nest in vegetation or rocks. Where he keeps the eggs before hatching. When the female catfish is ready to spawn eggs, she acts to attract male catfishes to fertilize her eggs with their sperm before hatching eggs into the water. Hardly, some species of catfish lay eggs twice a year.