How do polypterus reproduce?

[Hybridfish7]

Looking at a fish like that, I can't place my finger on how it would reproduce. I feel like it's just the usual spawning process for large predatory fish, with the whole build a nest, lay some eggs and have the male guard it. must be something strenuous if it's difficult to breed and raise them in tanks.

 

[tlindsey]

Looking at a fish like that, I can't place my finger on how it would reproduce. I feel like it's just the usual spawning process for large predatory fish, with the whole build a nest, lay some eggs and have the male guard it. must be something strenuous if it's difficult to breed and raise them in tanks.

Polypterus don't build nest and scatter the eggs in plants or on the substrate. The male or female does not protect the eggs in fact they will eat them lol.

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

Hendre
Josh's Fish

 

[Hendre]

As Tlindsey said. They will pair up to breed, female scatters eggs into males "cupped" anal fin, he fertilises then the eggs are released into the spawning substrate. Usually plants.

The main difficulty is raising them to maturity, males are 2+ years and females 4-5 or more

 

[Hybridfish7]

I assume they also live relatively extremely long if it takes them that long to hit sexual maturity?

 

[giseok jung]

Most of upper jaw species lay eggs on tall aquatic plants but lower jaw species prefer shorter plants, sand or gravle than tall plants