Both parents dig a nest and guard the eggs and fry. Optimum temperature 22 to 26 degrees centigrade. Six spawnings per year possible with about 6000 to 42,000 eggs produced per year. Eggs hatch in 3 to 5 days. Fry eat zooplankton.
Adults eat phytoplankton, leaves, stems, rooted aquatic vegetation and manufactured food.
Optimum temperature is 28 degrees. Lower temperature tolerance is 8 to 9 degrees centigrade. Grows well in full strength sea water. For example, using animal manures to fertilize a pond to enhance fish production and water from the pond to irrigate a garden. Funding for this series was provided by the United States Agency for International Development.