Biology
Parental Care Strategies in Mouthbrooding Cichlids
Quick fact
Some mouthbrooding cichlids fast for up to two weeks while holding eggs and fry in their mouths, losing significant body weight, and they even position each egg in the mouth to maximize oxygenation.
Why this is interesting
Imagine carrying your children in your mouth to keep them safe—no food, no rest, just constant vigilance. That's exactly what mouthbrooding cichlids do, but why would any fish pay such a price?