Heather Richie

The Spawning of Bonefish

Bonefish spawn through an epic feat of polygynandrous love. From fall to late spring, they arrive in schools to nearshore spawning sites and fill their swim bladders with air, before heading offshore at night, diving deep, and surge back to the surface. The change in pressure causes their bladders to expand and release eggs and sperm into the water around them. Juvenile bonefish are hatched over a month later, in areas such as mangroves and bays, after having drifting back from offshore. The cur