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Parental Behavior
Mucus Feeding of Fry
Fry graze on protein-rich mucus secreted by parents - the closest thing to lactation in the fish world.
Trigger: Mate Function: Directly nourishes offspring from parental body Observable in aquarium
📖 Overview
In discus and some other cichlids, parents grow specialised epidermal cells that secrete a nutritious mucus. Fry cluster on the parents\' flanks, feeding directly on this coating for the first weeks of life. The parents alternate as fry switch from one to the other - literally feeding their young from their own bodies.
👁️ How to Observe
The moment when discus fry first swim to their parents\' flanks and begin grazing is one of the most striking behaviours in freshwater aquarium keeping.
✨ Fun Fact
The specialised mucus contains immune antibodies from the parents - offering discus fry both nutrition and passive immunity.