They attach themselves to vegetation using a sucker-like membrane on the top of their heads. Feeding begins about 10 days from hatching, when the mouth has formed. At this point plankton is a key component to their diet. When fingerlings reach about 20 mm they leave the spawning marsh and go to a nearby lake or river. At this point they also begin eating insects.
Males become sexually mature after two years.
Females become sexually mature after three years. Both sexes usually live about seven years. In nature they may live as long as 25 years. In captivity they may live as long as 75 years.