1. a fish that incubates its eggs or young in its mouth for protection
Usage: zoology

Examples

• The cichlid is a well-known mouthbreeder that carries its fry in its mouth.
• Many mouthbreeders fast during the incubation period to avoid swallowing their young.
• The male jawfish is a mouthbreeder that protects the eggs until they hatch.
• Scientists study mouthbreeders to understand parental care in fish.
• Some mouthbreeder species can carry dozens of eggs at once.
• The aquarium featured several species of mouthbreeders from Lake Malawi.