https://www.pitara.com/tags/reproduction-methods/Recent content in Reproduction Methods on Pitara Kids NetworkHugoen-usSat, 13 Jun 2026 21:46:31 +0530https://www.pitara.com/science-for-kids/planet-earth-for-kids/can-fish-lay-eggs-in-the-mouth/Wed, 23 May 2001 04:23:36 +0000https://www.pitara.com/science-for-kids/planet-earth-for-kids/can-fish-lay-eggs-in-the-mouth/<p>There is a kind of fish which does not use its mouth for just eating. It keeps eggs in its mouth instead of its stomach. And, it is the male fish which does it, not the female.</p> <p>Jawfish (Opistognathidae) are paternal mouthbrooders. Mouthbrooding, also known as oral incubation, is the care given a parent by holding its offspring in its own mouth for extended periods of time.</p> <figure class="image-medium has-caption"> <a href="https://www.pitara.com/media/earth-52_1.gif" aria-label="Link to larger image"> <img src="https://www.pitara.com/media/earth-52_1_hu_d7df908aafbc2c0d.gif" srcset="https://www.pitara.com/media/earth-52_1_hu_6a19d65f9418bde0.gif 320w, https://www.pitara.com/media/earth-52_1_hu_d7df908aafbc2c0d.gif 900w" sizes="(min-width: 900px) 900px, 320px" alt="A Nest in the Mouth [Illustration by Shridevi]" height="648" width="900" loading="lazy"> </a> <figcaption>A Nest in the Mouth [Illustration by Shridevi]</figcaption> </figure> <p>After the eggs are fertilised, the male puts them in his mouth, and carries them around for a month. And, while the eggs are in his mouth, he starves! That is because there is no space left for him to eat.</p>