kpage,
The size of the eggs (or most importantly, if they have a planktonic stage) is species dependent and not an individual animal trait. Egg size is not the primary interest as far as raising them but is an indicator that the hatchings will be either benthic or planktonic at hatching. With known exceptions, the small egg species only brood a short time (less than a month) where the larger egg species brood for several months (species and water temperature play a part in the brooding time). One well known exception to the brooding time rule of thumb is the GPO. They are a small egg species but have been known to brood for the better part of a year in their natural environment (I don't think they brood this long in captivity though), however, they still produce planktonic young and we have not mastered raising this kind of hatchling.
The size of the eggs (or most importantly, if they have a planktonic stage) is species dependent and not an individual animal trait. Egg size is not the primary interest as far as raising them but is an indicator that the hatchings will be either benthic or planktonic at hatching. With known exceptions, the small egg species only brood a short time (less than a month) where the larger egg species brood for several months (species and water temperature play a part in the brooding time). One well known exception to the brooding time rule of thumb is the GPO. They are a small egg species but have been known to brood for the better part of a year in their natural environment (I don't think they brood this long in captivity though), however, they still produce planktonic young and we have not mastered raising this kind of hatchling.