During which months does the spawning season typically commence for *Ameiurus natalis* when temperatures are optimal?
Answer
Late spring or early summer
The reproductive cycle for the yellow bullhead is timed to coincide with warmer water temperatures conducive to egg development. The spawning season generally begins in the period spanning late spring into early summer. This initiation is precisely linked to the water temperature reaching an optimal range, specified as being between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius. Following successful fertilization of the gelatinous egg mass, both parents exhibit care, with the male taking charge of fanning the eggs and later herding the resulting fry, highlighting a period of focused parental commitment tied to these specific seasonal conditions.
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