Reproduction and egg guarding by Atlantic wolffish ( Anarhichas lupus: Anarhichidae) and ocean pout ( Macrozoarces americanus: Zoarcidae) in Newfoundland waters

The reproductive season, the sex that provides parental care, and the relationship of feeding with reproduction are reported for Atlantic wolffish and ocean pout in eastern Newfoundland. Both species move into shallow water in the spring, pair during the summer, and spawn in holes under and between...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Keats, D. W., South, G. R., Steele, D. H.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1985
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z85-382
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z85-382
Description
Summary:The reproductive season, the sex that provides parental care, and the relationship of feeding with reproduction are reported for Atlantic wolffish and ocean pout in eastern Newfoundland. Both species move into shallow water in the spring, pair during the summer, and spawn in holes under and between boulders during the autumn. Apparently, male Atlantic wolffish provide solitary parental care of the eggs, while in ocean pout females provide this function. Feeding is reduced for females and probably males of both species as the gonads approach maximum size. After pair formation, male ocean pout reduce feeding; male Atlantic wolffish do so to a lesser degree. Male Atlantic wolffish and female ocean pout feed little or not at all while guarding egg masses.