Egg cannibalism by inanga (Galaxias maculatus)

Abstract

Egg cannibalism by inanga (Galaxias maculatus) was found to occur immediately after spawning. Spent and immature inanga from a school of 335 fish consumed between 0 and 51 eggs each. As inanga spawning sites are high on the river bank and only accessible on high spring tides, further opportunities for egg predation are limited to when the eggs are re‐submerged at hatching on the next suitable spring tides. It is unclear whether the cannibalism observed represents a reduction in short‐term reproductive fitness without providing long‐term gains.

Keywords:

• Galaxiidae
• spawning
• predation
• Galaxias maculatus
• egg mortality