Mouthbrooders are a type of fish, and they are known for their unique reproductive behavior where the female lays eggs and then carries the fertilized eggs in her mouth for protection. Mouthbrooding is a common reproductive strategy among certain fish species.

During the breeding season, the female fish deposits her eggs, and the male fertilizes them. The female then gathers the eggs into her mouth and incubates them until they hatch. This behavior provides the developing embryos with protection from predators and other environmental threats.




Several fish species exhibit mouthbrooding behavior, and this reproductive strategy can be found among both freshwater and marine fish. Some examples of mouthbrooding fish include certain cichlids, catfish, and cardinalfish. The duration of mouthbrooding varies among species, with some females carrying the eggs until they hatch into fully formed fry, while others release free-swimming fry from their mouths shortly after hatching.