Why is a fish oviparous animal?

A fish is considered oviparous because it lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young. This is the defining characteristic of oviparous animals.

Here's why:

* Eggs develop outside the mother's body: Fish eggs are fertilized externally, and the developing embryo grows and matures within the egg. This happens outside the mother's body, usually in a nest, attached to plants, or floating in the water.

* Nutrients from yolk: The eggs contain a yolk sac that provides the developing embryo with all the nutrients it needs until it hatches.

* Variety of reproductive strategies: While most fish are oviparous, there are exceptions like some sharks and rays that are viviparous (give birth to live young). However, the majority of fish species reproduce by laying eggs.

So, the key takeaway is that oviparous means "egg-laying," and that is the primary way most fish reproduce.