Fish that are among the strangest in the world have given birth at Living Coasts in Torquay.
The four-eyed fish at Torquay’s coastal zoo is a species rarely seen in UK aquariums. While most fish lay eggs, the four eyed fish gives birth to live young.
Living Coasts is home to eleven four-eyed fish – six females and five males. One female gave birth to four youngsters on Wednesday 8th April and a second had three youngsters on Easter Sunday 12th April. The youngsters are about 6 centimetres long. The adults are now approximately 17centimetres long.
Living Coasts marine biologist Jodie Peers: “I had a feeling they might be pregnant – I had observed matings, but it is such a difficult business that I hardly dared to believe it. They can be very tricky to keep – you have to get the water quality, diet, light levels and temperature all just right and keep stress to a minimum. I’m delighted!”
Living Coasts Director Elaine Hayes said: “The four-eyed fish came to Living Coasts in June 2008. For them to be breeding within a year of their arrival is remarkable – it is testament to the hard work and understanding of Jodie and her colleagues.”
Four-eyed fish (Anableps anableps) mate side-by-side, but individuals can mate only to one side or the other, which means that a “right-handed” male can only mate with a “left-handed" female and vice versa. Imagine finding the girl of your dreams – only to discover that you are both lefties and so destined never to mate…
Four-eyed fish live on river estuaries and mangrove coastlines in southern Mexico and South America. They have two eyes – not four - adapted to see both above and below the water. They can also survive out of water for short periods, such as during low tide. Four eyed fish are rarely seen in the UK as most aquariums focus mainly on coral reef species rather than mangrove species.
Living Coasts, Torquay’s coastal zoo, is a registered charity. For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk or ring (01803) 202470.
ENDS
Photos available
Further information
Philip Knowling, Living Coasts Press Officer, 01803 697568
Telephone: 01803 697568
Fax: 01803 523457
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
www.livingcoasts.org.uk
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