Underwater Video of Musky Spawning Behavior

Описание: This video captures musky spawning behavior. During this time (usually April and May when the temperatures are 49-59ºF, peak spawning is ~55ºF) a female pairs off with one or two usually smaller males and they swim in sync over the shallower areas where they will spawn. This spawning behavior was found to last between 4 and 20 days for individuals monitored in two Michigan waters (Diana et al. 2015). Muskellunge do not create nests, but broadcast spawn over vegetated areas where the non-adhesives eggs scatter and settle to the bottom. Fish can incur injuries during this time while competing for mates. The act of spawning can occur at brief irregular intervals over several days in these shallow areas. This is infrequently observed, but is easier to identify as fish turn on their sides and vibrate quickly, while a small number of gametes are expelled simultaneously.

-Video description courtesy of: Andrew J. Carlson, Ph.D., Research Scientist - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Section of Fisheries

Good references are:

Diana, J.S, P. Hanchin, and N. Popoff. 2015. Movement patterns and spawning sites of muskellunge Esox masquinongy in the Antrim chain of lakes, Michigan. Environmental Biology of Fishes 98(3): 833-844.
Scott, W.B., and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184:1-966. Specifically 363-369 or in this pdf pages 49-55. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/5236... .