| Main Ref. | Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen, 1966 |
| Mode | dioecism |
| Fertilization | internal (oviduct) |
| Mating type | |
| Spawning frequency | |
| Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
| Batch spawner | Ref. |
| Reproductive guild |
bearers internal live bearers |
| Parental Care | |
| Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Males court by nipping the female's dorsum. Mating pair orient in a venter to venter position, and the male inserts one or both claspers. The pair usually rests on the substrate, with the female on top of the male. Mating lasts about 30 seconds (Ref. 12951) to 1 minute (Ref. 49562). Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449). Size at birth ~60 cm WD. One large pregnant female (~130 cm WD) contained a single late-term embryo 61 cm WD (Ref.58048). |
| Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |