Many fish of the cichlid family, such as Mozambique mouth brooders carry their eggs

in their mouths after they are laid and fertilized.

Thus the eggs are protected from the predators and are

supplied with a constant stream of oxygen rich water.

After hatching, the young fish remain in the mouth

till they absorb their egg yolks.

Then they venture out for short periods and go short distances to feed.

They remain close to the parents and return

to the safety of their mouths when threatened and at night.

Brooding may last for five weeks.

Parents eat nothing during this period –

to avoid swallowing the young ones by mistake.

In some species the female broods and in some the male.