Mother Fish Tirelessly Defends Brood | Wild Mexico | BBC Earth

Most of these pools, known locally as pozas, are fed by thermal springs, where underground water is forced to the surface by geothermal heat. Millions of years ago, when this region was much wetter, ancient waterways brought fish into this valley. As the climate dried, the waters receded and fish became isolated in pools, evolving into many new species. Sixteen species live here, half of them found nowhere else on Earth, including this one, a Quatrociénegas cichlid. This female has a family, and she is the most devoted mother. Stirring up the sediment, she exposes tiny plankton for her fry to feed on. But the biggest challenge isn't feeding her babies, it's protecting them. Some cichlids have evolved into predators. And in this small pool, there are few places to hide. From dawn until dusk, she must defend her brood. She has no time to feed herself, and is getting weaker by the day. But it's worth it. Without her help, her young would never survive. When they're a centimeter long, they will fend for themselves. Until then, this mother must give her all.