Female Bowfins, through personal observation, are always bigger that the male
of the species, sometimes by double the weight and length! The males are
always the parental care givers though, displaying those bright emerald green
pectoral and vental fins! I have observed this many times in crystal-clear
backwaters during my life!
The males will herd the large swarm of seemingly black tad-pole looking fry
for about a month or so, until they reach lengths of about 2 inches. At which
time, the school disperses so as not to overfeed on any restricted area of the
available prey species. (usually small invertabrates and species of fish that
are still in the fry stage.)
Male Bass also shoulder the parenting, as do male sunfish, etc.
BG
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