Yes, male fish produce sperm.
Male Fish Reproduction
Male fish possess testes, typically two (though sometimes just one), located within their body cavity. These testes produce sperm, often appearing as a milky white substance known as milt. Britannica, [Reference 1]. The sperm travels from the testes through a sperm duct. In bony fish, this duct leads to a urogenital opening behind the anus or vent. Sharks, rays, and cyclostomes have a duct leading to a cloaca. [Reference 1].
While most fish have two testes, their internal structure differs from mammals. Most fish lack seminiferous tubules, a key feature in mammalian testes. Wikipedia. The structure and function of fish sperm vary across species, as evidenced by research on sperm velocity in cavefish Nature and the role of antioxidants in fish sperm NCBI. Studies also explore how sperm find eggs in freshwater fish Wiley.
In aquaculture, issues with proper sperm production can arise, highlighting the importance of understanding fish reproductive biology. IMET.
Key Points:
- Sperm Production: Male fish produce sperm in their testes.
- Sperm Appearance: Sperm often appears as a milky white fluid called milt.
- Sperm Duct: Sperm travels from the testes through a duct to an external opening.
- Testes Variation: Most fish have two testes, but some have one. Internal structure also differs from mammals.
