Reproduction of Heterodontus zebra
Document source: http://fishbase.mnhn.fr/Reproduction/FishReproSummary.php?ID=746&GenusName=Heterodontus&SpeciesName=zebra&fc=3&StockCode=762
 
Main Ref. Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen, 1966
Mode dioecism
Fertilization internal (oviduct)
Mating type
Spawning frequency one clear seasonal peak per year
Spawning aggregation Ref.  
Batch spawner Yes.   Ref.  Michael, S.W., 1993
Reproductive guild nonguarders
open water/substratum egg scatterers
Parental Care none
Description of life cycle and mating behavior Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). Distinct pairing with embrace (Ref. 205). Lays auger type eggs (about 12-18cm, 4.7-7 inches long) among rocks & kelp, often with more than female using same oviposition site, with as many eggs found in a single nest; female lay 2 eggs at a time, from spring to late summer in Japan, 6-12 times during a single spawning season. Eggs hatch in 1 year. Hatch at 18 cm (7 inches), max length at 1.2m (3.9 ft.). During courtship, male grasps pectoral fin of female & wraps posterior part of body under her so single clasper can be inserted into her cloaca. In several mating bouts observed, copulation lasted as long as 15 minutes (Ref. 12951).
Search for more references on reproduction Scirus
(e.g. 9948)
( e.g. cephalopods )
Comments & Corrections
Back to Search


Publish in our journal partners Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria (Impact factor 2023: 1.17; link to old content 1970-2020), Journal of Applied Ichthyology (Impact factor 2022: 1.222) and Journal of Fish Biology (2.0, 2022 impact factor) the results of your primary research on fish growth, weight-length relationships, reproduction (maturity, fecundity, spawning), food and diet composition, introductions and range extensions for faster subsequent entry in FishBase.

cfm script by eagbayani, 21/08/01 ,  php script by rolavides, 11/02/08 ,  last modified by mbactong, 09/06/17