The fish with the shortest lifespan is the Pygmy Goby. This fish is hatched, grows up, reproduces and then dies within 59 days. The Pygmy Goby (Eviota sigillata) is typically found in the Great Barrier Reef, or on the shallow reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Hatched from tiny eggs, the young gobies have been vigorously protected by their father. A male goby will watch over the eggs while fanning them with his fins to provide more oxygen. Once they develop as ocean larvae (3 weeks) , they settle onto a coral reef and grow to sexual maturity (10 days). During her short lifetime, a female will lay three clutches of about 130 eggs. This means that the Pygmy Goby species produces a new generation every 49 days, and up to 7 generations a year. The Pygmy Goby is only about 1/2 inch long. In order to determine age, scientist cut into the goby's "otoliths" or small stones in the head. These stones record the fish's age with growth rings, much like measuring the age of a tree. Scientist attribute the "live fast, die young" pattern as an evolutionary response to predation. The gobies lose at least 1/12 of their population every day to natural predation.
"In order to determine age, scientist cut into the goby's "otoliths" or small stones in the head. These stones record the fish's age with growth rings, much like measuring the age of a tree."
ReplyDeleteWow, he is 50 days old , this one only had nine days left anyway...