Reproduction

    The Kryptophanaron alfredi begins growth as an egg which undergoes mitosis until the egg hatches to begin the larval stage. The larva appears fairly similar to the adult Kryptophanaron alfredi.  The larva then grows into the adult fish through the process of mitosis.

    As stated in habitat, the adult K. alfredi fish spends most of the day in the deep waters off the coasts and nights towards the surface of the water.  The typical habitat for adults is around rocks, caves and large crevices (Baldwin and Johnson 1995).  The presence of water and solid structures in their environment is very important to their offspring’s survival.  When spawned, the eggs attach to the solid structures and form into the larva.  When they hatch, they are released into the water columns (Baldwin and Johnson 1995).  Just like the adult fish, the larva swim in deep waters during the day and surface to find food at night (Baldwin and Johnson 1995). 

    There was a study done on captured Anomalops and found that smaller individuals were found in shallower waters, and larger individuals were found in deeper waters.  According to the study however, there is not significant evidence to explain if the size/depth relationship is a difference in the fish’s reproductive maturity.  One explanation could be that the fish mature at a smaller size and are able to reproduce at a younger age (McCosker and Rosenblatt 1986).  As of right now, we are unable to prove when the fish of the Anomalopidae family are at sexual maturity due to lack of research.  

 

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