1. Preparation:
- Zebra fish reach sexual maturity at around 3-4 months of age. When ready to breed, males will display vibrant colors and chase females.
- The female's belly will become noticeably round and swollen as she fills with eggs.
2. Spawning:
- Zebra fish typically spawn in the early morning hours.
- The male and female will engage in a courtship behavior where the male swims alongside the female, displaying his fins and colors.
- When the female is receptive, she will release her eggs, and the male will immediately fertilize them by releasing sperm over them.
- This process can happen multiple times during a spawning session, resulting in several clutches of eggs.
3. Eggs:
- Zebra fish eggs are small, transparent, and slightly adhesive. They are usually deposited on plants, gravel, or the sides of the aquarium.
- The eggs hatch within 24-48 hours, depending on the water temperature.
4. Fry (Newly Hatched Zebra Fish):
- The newly hatched fry are tiny and free-swimming. They have a distinctive appearance, with a large yolk sac attached to their bodies.
- The yolk sac provides nourishment for the fry during the first few days of their life.
- As the fry grows, the yolk sac gradually disappears, and they begin to feed on infusoria, microworms, brine shrimp nauplii, and other suitable small live foods.
5. Growth and Development:
- Zebra fish fry grow rapidly under the right conditions, with proper nutrition and water quality.
- Within a few weeks, they will develop their adult coloration and begin to exhibit typical zebra fish behaviors, such as schooling and feeding at the water's surface.
It's important to note that zebra fish are prolific breeders, and they can produce multiple broods throughout their lifetime. To maintain a healthy and sustainable zebra fish population, it's crucial to control breeding by separating males and females or providing sufficient space and resources to accommodate the growing fry.