This fish blog will answer the major question, “What fish species change gender?” we will also discuss the role of epigenetics in the gender changing of most fish species in water, the factors affecting the change in gender act of fishes, and the advantages of changing gender for the fish.
What fish species change gender?
Following are the fish species that change gender:
- Black sea bass
- Salmon
- Clownfish
- Asian Sheepshead Wrasse
These fish species change gender according to the need of the group or individual preference.
What is the role of epigenetics in the gender-changing act of the fish species underwater?
Epigenetics means above genes. It is a phenomenon that tells us that the function of the genes is determined by the impact of the environment on the genes. Suppose the Asian Sheepshead Wrasse changes its gender due to the unavailability of the male in the group.
The environmental impact changes the function of the gene and converts a female into a male to protect the balance of the group underwater.
It was observed by the scientists that when the male is removed from the group of the Asian Sheepshead Wrasse fish, the largest female converts itself into a male by changing the gonads from ovaries into testes within 21 days of absence of the male from the group.
This happens by means of genes. When the female sees the absence of a male, the brain sends signals to the ovaries to change their shape and function. This is triggered by the hormones that are released due to the stimulus from the brain.
The ovaries which were releasing estrogen change into the testis and start producing testosterone.
The knowledge of epigenetics also helps us to understand the factors that are triggering the gender change in the group of fish. Epigenetics also gives an idea of whether a male fish will convert into a female or a female fish will convert itself into male fish.
What are the factors that impact the change in the gender act of the fish?
Following are the factors that trigger the gender change activity in most of the fish species:
Stress changes the gender of fish
The first factor is stress which could be due to many reasons such as harsh weather. This stress will release cortisol which is the stress hormone into the body. This stress hormone will act on the gonads of fish and will change the morphology and functionality of the fish gonads underwater.
Cortisol can also shut down the genes that are needed for femaleness and activates the genes that are needed for maleness in fish.
Cortisol has other functions too but it is not involved in the gender-changing ability of the fish.
An imbalance in the group can induce a gender change act
An imbalance in the fish group can also lead to a change in the gender of the fish. Suppose an Asian Sheepshead Wrasse female will change into a male when the male from the group is absent due to some reason because the balance of the group has to be restored to the group.
When a group is vulnerable to attack
When the group of a particular fish specie is vulnerable to being attacked by the other fishes then the fish must change gender.
Suppose there are fewer males in the group and the breeding females are pregnant so the young ones should be saved from the predators, the larger female of the group will convert themselves into males which are stronger and sturdier to protect the integrity of the group.
What are the advantages of the gender change act of the fish species underwater?
Following are the advantages of the gender change act for fish species underwater:
- The first advantage is to survive in a harsh environment because, in a harsh environment, more males in a group can bring food for the females especially the pregnant females, this way the integrity of the group is conserved.
- After a catastrophe that significantly decreases the members of the group, the larger sex member changes itself to fewer sex members and breed with each other to increase the number of members in the group.
- The female produces more eggs so if more eggs are required, then the males can convert into females. On the other hand, a male can inseminate more females, so a female can also convert into a male.
- The next advantage is protection from larger predators. If females are not able to protect themselves from predators, those females convert into males to improve the defense of the group.
Conclusion
In this fish blog, we answered the major question, “What fish species change gender?” we also discussed the role of epigenetics in the gender changing of most fish species in water, the factors affecting the change in gender act of fishes, and the advantages of changing gender for the fish.
