Field and laboratory observations were used to study the reproductive behaviours of the fishing spider Dolomedes triton. Courtship involved 'tapping' and 'jerking'. Males performed a ritualized 'wrapping' behaviour and 'fast-tapping'. During copulation, males inserted a single palp using the tibial apophysis to open the epigynum and guide the embolus. Males were capable of multiple matings, but females rarely mated more than once. Females rarely ate their mates, but after mating, became voracious feeders, attacking subsequent courting males.

The reproductive output of females is affected by female size and food availability, particularly for larger females. Ten of eleven starved females failed to produce eggs. Mean egg weight and time to develop the first egg sac were not affected by food level or female size. It appears that smaller females may be at a selective advantage on ponds where food is limited, while larger females do best where food availability is high.