Adults are near shore or near reefs. They gather in small or large schools. Fertilization of eggs is done at night. Females lay up to 5 million eggs that will hatch in 24 hours. The eggs and the larvae are pelagic for 2 to 3 weeks. The juveniles develop in mangroves and estuaries before finding their way to the ocean where they will reach sexual maturity. Larvae eat zooplankton, juveniles and adults eat soft algae, fish eggs, cyanobacteria, and benthic invertebrates.
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