1. Courtship: During the breeding season, male bluegills develop bright colors and engage in courtship displays to attract females. They swim in circles and flash their fins, and may even build nests in the sand or among plants.
2. Nest Building: Male bluegills construct simple nests by fanning out a depression in the substrate with their fins. The nests are often located in shallow, vegetated areas with a sandy bottom.
3. Spawning: Once the nest is ready, the male bluegill will entice a female to lay her eggs in it. The female releases her eggs in a single mass, which the male fertilizes with his sperm.
4. Egg Care: The male bluegill will guard the eggs until they hatch, fanning them with his fins to provide oxygen and remove sediment. The eggs will hatch in 3-10 days, depending on the temperature of the water.
5. Fry Care: After hatching, the fry (newly hatched fish) will remain in the nest for several days until they are able to swim freely. The male bluegill will continue to guard them during this time.
6. Independence: Once the fry are strong enough to swim on their own, they will leave the nest and begin to feed. They will grow rapidly and eventually reach sexual maturity, at which point they will be able to reproduce themselves.