The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

Adonis Catfish Fry Hatch – A First at the Shedd Aquarium

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Nickel

Aquarists at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium noticed a large clutch of eggs being guarded by an Adonis catfish, (Acanthicus adonis) on February 27. The fish continued to guard and fan the eggs, which hatched 5 days later. Most of the fry were removed to reserve for grow out, but some were left with the parent, who continued to guard the fry.  

The fry that were left with the father stayed near him for another 2 1/2 weeks. Aquarists estimate that the clutch numbered around 1000 individuals. This is Shedd Aquarium’s first birth with this species. The fry on reserve are growing and doing well. 

 Guarding

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Photo Credit: Shedd Aquarium / Brenna Hernandez

6 responses to “Adonis Catfish Fry Hatch – A First at the Shedd Aquarium”

  1. Anne Packrat Avatar
    Anne Packrat

    A baby catfish is called a fry? Isn’t that kind of mean? We don’t call baby salmon fillets! XP

    Reply
  2. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    That surprised me, too, but apparently all young fish are called fry, and that’s the original sense of the phrase “small fry.” The Online Etymology Dictionary says “Sense [of the word small] of ‘not large, of little size’ developed in O.E. With many extended senses, e.g. small fry, first recorded 1690s of little fish, 1885 of insignificant people.”
    What I always wonder is, what do they DO with 1,000 fish? In nature, most of them would be eaten by predators; that’s why the species must reproduce so profusely. Protected, in nature, that seems like enough catfish to supply every aquarium in the world.

    Reply
  3. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Ahem, I should check my work more carefully. (In my defense, I could not see the entire post in Preview.) I meant to type “Protected, in captivity, that seems like enough catfish,” etc. Sorry.

    Reply
  4. Robyn Avatar
    Robyn

    Wow, they actually managed to breed them? And without trying? Few have ever been able to breed them. Cute babies ;). They have spots unlike the father, which I find interesting.

    Reply
  5. Aquarium Services Avatar
    Aquarium Services

    I too was surprised the young baby fish was called fry.

    Reply
  6. Elko Avatar
    Elko

    Hi,
    thanks for this information.
    Greetings
    Elko

    Reply

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