Laich

Laich is a German biological term that refers to the eggs produced by fish and amphibians, and is used to denote the reproductive material released during spawning. In English usage it is often translated as spawn or roe. The term primarily denotes the eggs themselves rather than the male’s sperm.

Biology and development

Most fish spawn by releasing eggs and fertilization occurs externally in water. Eggs vary widely in size, appearance, and whether they are gelatinous spheres or adhesive clumps. Amphibians such as salamanders and newts lay eggs in aquatic environments, usually in gelatinous masses. After fertilization, embryos develop within the eggs and hatch into larvae that continue their development in the aquatic habitat.

Ecology and reproduction

Spawning is typically seasonal and influenced by environmental cues such as water temperature, daylight, and food availability. Many species undertake migrations to specific spawning grounds where eggs are laid in substrates like vegetation, gravel, or open water, depending on the species. Survival of the offspring depends on factors including predation, oxygen levels, and water quality.

Human relevance

In fisheries and aquaculture, the timing and success of spawning are critical for stock management and production. Protecting spawning habitats, maintaining water quality, and regulating harvest during spawning periods are common conservation and management measures. The term Laich appears in field guides, research, and reports describing reproductive cycles of freshwater and marine fishes as well as amphibians.

Examples

Notable spawning behaviors include salmon migrating upriver to reproduce and cod releasing eggs into open water. Freshwater species often deposit eggs in vegetation or substrate in rivers and lakes, illustrating the diversity of Laich strategies across taxa.