The lobe projecting from the gill cover is all black. Breeding males have bright yellow or reddish-orange coloration on the throat and belly. Females may carry 2,000 to 67,000 eggs with an average of 18,000. Eggs hatch in 2-5 days depending on the temperature. These depressions are placed very close together in colonies.
Males spawn with several females in a single nest.
All animals need food, water, shelter and space to survive.