Fishes: Skiffia Francesae X Multipunctatus

Monday, 23 July 2012

Skiffia Francesae X Multipunctatus

The name "Splitfins" comes from the fact that, in the male fish, the anterior rays of the anal fin are partly separated from rest of the fin. Splitfins can be up to 20 cm in length, though most species are much smaller, around 5 cm. Goodeid fish have internal fertilisation, with males positioning themselves with a flexible part of the front anal fin, separated by a notch, which makes up the andropodium. Embryos hatch out of the egg within the womb, and possess trophotaenia, a ribbon-like structure unique to Goodeids, positioned in front of the anal fin on the dorsal surface of the juvenile. These allow the absorption of nutrients within the womb (matrotrophy), and are shed by juveniles shortly after birth. Female Goodeids do not store sperm, and so a copulation event must precede each pregnancy.