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Information Central (c) Larry Larsen
Spawning and Post Spawning Behavior
 Spawning normally takes place on a flat surface that has been cleared (or is bare to begin with) of algae or other
debris during the fanning movements of the parents. This could be on the top of a stump or the bark of a fallen tree that lies horizontal below the
surface, yet near to the depression beds. The female moves over the bed and deposits neat rows of eggs as the male follows and exudes sperm which
drifts down over each row. This effort usually takes several hours. Reports state that peacocks may lay an average from 3,000 to 10,000 eggs,
with an average being about 5,000.
The color of the eggs reportedly change from a white to a yellow as they develop. Underdeveloped eggs
accumulate a fungus and are normally removed from the bed by the parents. Ultimately, less than one percent of the eggs will hatch and reach
adulthood. The eggs, while being constantly fanned by the female, develop into larvae in about two days.
 Some males periodically take part in the fanning to remove foreign materials from the eggs, but their time is often
consumed by defending against egg predators. From time to time, the male will leave the female to fend off a threatening intruder. By the time the eggs hatch, the
female exhibits very aggressive behavior toward any intrusion, while the male offers aggressive lateral displays and circles the area.
Post-Spawn Behavior
As the eggs hatch at the spawning site, the male (and sometimes the female) takes them into his mouth and deposits the fry in
the nearby small depression beds. The larvae have a mucous-like adhesive at their head which allows them to stick to the bottom of
the nest. They wiggle their tails, making the floor of the bed resemble a writhing mass of undulating worms.
 At night, the parents lower themselves over the bed to discourage nocturnal predators from attacking the larvae.
Both parents stand vigil and guard the brood which mill about their nest deriving nutrition from the remnants of their yolk sacs.
As the fry become free-swimming, which occurs about three days after the
hatch, the parents herd them around the canal. The fry stick together in a cloud near the surface of the water. They feed throughout the day on
zooplankton, growing rapidly and becoming stronger.
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