Capelin

Capelin begin to spawn around three years of age.  When nighttime water temperatures reach between 6 and 10°C, hundreds of thousands of capelin gather inshore to spawn on sandy or gravel beaches, where it is said that they “roll”.

Males generally arrive first, followed by the females.  It is common to see a female flanked by one or two males as they wait for her to lay her eggs.  When the eggs are expelled, the males fertilize them with their sperm.  The adhesive eggs cling to the gravel and sand with which they are intermingled by the swash of the waves.  This allows them to stay out of the sight of predators.  The capelin larvae emerges 10-20 days later.