Hatching

• Although the females of most fish species lay their eggs in the water, others carry their eggs inside them until they develop and hatch. They then give birth to live young.
  
  

Terminology

• Recently hatched fish are called fry, and larger baby fish are called fingerlings.
  
  

Feeding

• Many baby fish carry their yolk sac with them after hatching, which nourishes them until they are able to find food for themselves. Baby fish eat a variety of tiny plant and animal matter.
  
  

Ecosystem Benefits

• Fish eggs often hatch in large masses, and the baby fish provide food for a vast number of sea creatures and birds.
  
  

Parental Care

• Most baby fish do not receive any care from their parents, but a few do. Some species hide their babies in their mouths, and some baby sea horses cling to their fathers after hatching.