Morphological development of eggs, larvae and juveniles of laboratory-reared Ryukyu-ayu Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis

ABSTRACT:   The development of embryos, larvae and juveniles of the Ryukyu-ayu, Plecoglossus altivelisryukyuensis are described based on laboratory-reared specimens.The eggs were spherical, 0.98–1.18 mm (mean 1.06 mm)in diameter with an adherent membrane. The incubation period after fertilizationwas approximately 155 h at a water temperature of 19.7–22.0°C(mean 20.7°C). Newly hatched larvae were 5.0–5.9 mm(mean 5.5 mm) in body length (BL) with 59–62 myotomes.Within 5 days after hatching, the larvae had attained 6.4–8.2 mm(mean 7.8 mm) BL and had completely consumed their yolk.Notochord flexion began at 13.7 mm BL and was completedby 16.3 mm BL. The rudimental dorsal, anal, pelvic andadipose fins appeared at 14.7, 16.3, 21.8 and 21.8 mm BL, respectively.All fin rays reached the same fixed number of adult fish at about28 mm BL. The comb-like teeth began to form at approximately30 mm BL and were fully developed at about 40–50 mm BL.The proportions of P. a. ryukyuensis specimens,which were consistent with adult fish, occurred at approximately40 mm BL.     

Morphological development and growth patterns of the leopard grouper Mycteroperca rosacea during larval development

At 25 °C, metamorphosis in leopard grouper Mycteroperca rosacea larvae took 60 days after hatching. The total length at day 1 was 1.95±0.22 mm and juveniles reached a length of 30.64±0.23 mm at day 60; the increase was approximately linear. We describe eight stages of development during this period. Larvae with the yolk sac attached occur from days 1 to 4 (Stages 1 and 2). The preflexion occurs on days 5–20 (Stages 3 and 4). Bending notochord occurred at day 25 (Stage 5). The other morphological changes that precede the juvenile phase occurred progressively until day 60 (Stages 6–8). Allometric growth in the height and length of the head, trunk length, height and length of the tail and the diameter of the eye compared with the total length showed two distinct stages of growth. Inflexion point, where growth is positive, occurred when larvae reached between 18.75 and 21.59 mm, which corresponds to larvae at days 35–40.     

The first spontaneous spawning of European hake Merluccius merluccius L.: characteristics of eggs and early larval stages

For the first time, a spontaneous spawning of hake was recorded in Spain in April 2009. The spawn was obtained from broodstock kept in captivity for two years at the facilities of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography in Vigo (NW Spain). Eggs were transparent, spherical and had an average diameter of 1.067 ± 0.024 mm; yolk occupied the majority of egg volume. The oil droplet had a diameter of 0.27 ± 0.03 mm. The incubation period of the eggs lasted for 4 days at 14°C and the duration from hatching to the total absorption of the yolk sac was between 5–7 days after hatching, at the same temperature. Newly hatched larvae had an average total length of 3.20 ± 0.13 mm and began feeding 6 days after hatching; a daily growth rate of 0.158 mm day‐1 was observed from hatching to yolk sac consumption. This paper describes the daily evolution of biometric and morphological characteristics of the different stages of embryos and larvae of European hake up to the age of 19 days.     

Morphological aspects of feeding and improvement in feeding ability in the early larval stages of red sea bream Pagrus major

The present study examined the appearance, ossification and growth of the bones that form the oral cavity in early larval stages of laboratory reared red sea bream ( Pagrus major ) for 380 h after hatching. The fundamental elements of the oral cavity appeared 11 h after initial mouth opening (HAMO). Development in the red sea bream, based on the osteological development of the feeding apparatus, was divided into three phases following the first feeding (24 HAMO; mean total body length 3.3 mm). The first phase was the early sucking phase (24 to 80–100 HAMO; approximately 3.9 mm), during which the head and bones increased in size. The intensified sucking phase (to 200–220 HAMO; approximately 4.9 mm) was defined by the appearance of new structural elements and a continued enlargement of the head and bones. Finally, during the transition phase (beyond 300 HAMO; approximately 5.6 mm), larvae used grasping as well as sucking to feed, new elements appeared, ossification began, size increased and teeth were acquired. As the larvae advanced through these three phases, the ability to feed by sucking was enhanced by the appearance and growth of new bones. The developmental phases appear to be linked to the transition from endogenous to exogenous nutrition resources under laboratory rearing conditions and to diversification in the size and components of wild food organisms.     

Spawning, early development and first feeding in the gobiid fish Priolepis nocturna

The reproductive behavior, embryonic development and early larvae of Priolepis nocturna are described. Three pairs of P. nocturna began spawning 41 days after acquisition and maintained a 5–10 day spawning cycle lasting beyond several months. Spawning was initiated by the female who signaled her readiness to spawn by displaying to the male. Egg clutch size averaged 1578 ± 51.23 eggs and ranged from 268 to 3121. Egg length averaged 0.82 ± 0.01 mm total length (TL) and ranged from 0.75 to 0.90 mm. Egg width averaged 0.51 ± 0.51 mm total width (TW) and ranged from 0.49 to 0.52 mm. Fertilized eggs were ovoid in shape and attached to the ceiling of provided shelters via adhesive filaments at the proximal end. Hatching rates averaged 97.3 ± 0.51% and ranged from 91.9 to 99.8%. Larvae measuring 1.89 ± 0.04 mm TL hatched 121 ± 0.5 h post fertilization and did not rotate position prior to hatching. Skeletal elements of the chondrocranium were simplistic and dominated by the hyoid, hyomandibulosymplectic cartilage, ethmoid and Meckel's cartilage in first feeding larvae. No elements were added to the cranial architecture by 5 days post hatch (DPH) when larvae measured 2.05 ± 0.04 mm TL. First feeding larvae consumed only dinoflagellates and tintinnids suggesting that feeding was constrained by a poorly developed feeding mechanism. Embryology and larval development are described to 5 DPH.     

密斯特黄彩鲶仔、稚、幼鱼的生长与发育研究

在水温22～24℃,pH7.0左右的人工培育条件下,对密斯特黄彩鲶(Mystus sp.)仔、稚、幼鱼的形态特征和生长发育进行了观察与研究。密斯特黄彩鲶的鱼苗发育分为卵黄囊期仔鱼期(初孵至第5天)、晚期仔鱼期(第6～10天)、稚鱼期(第11～20天)和幼鱼期(第20天以后)。初孵仔鱼平均全长5.12 mm,卵黄囊体积1.63 mm3;仔鱼第3天开始摄食,第5天卵黄囊被完全吸收,鱼苗主要外部器官主要集中在晚期仔鱼阶期和稚鱼期内形成。仔鱼在饥饿状态下最高初次摄食率出现在出膜后第6天,为84.0%,其饥饿的不可逆点则为出膜后第8天,第8天以后即进入不可逆PNR期,至第11天绝大部分饥饿仔鱼死亡。     

Feeding rhythm and growth of the tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther, during its early life stages

The feeding rhythm and growth characteristics of the early life stages of the tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther, were studied. Larvae began to prey on rotifers about 2–3 days after hatching at 23°C. About 12 days after hatching, larvae had grown to 8–9 mm in total length and were able to prey on Artemia larvae. As the larvae grew, they showed an increasing feeding capacity and a distinct feeding rhythm. Feeding intensity for day‐6 larvae was highest at 12:00 and 18:00 hours, about 2–3 h after the maximum feeding incidence. The highest levels of feeding intensity for day‐16 larvae occurred between 09:00 and 18:00 hours. By day 26, when the larvae had metamorphosed, feeding capacity had again increased considerably and, in contrast to the earlier stages, feeding intensity peaked at 18:00 and 24:00 hours concurrently with feeding incidence. Thus, tongue sole were found to have different feeding rhythms in the pre‐ and post‐metamorphosis stages, with the highest feeding activity in the daytime during the larval planktonic stage, and at night during the juvenile benthic stage. The estimated maximum daily feeding rates were 65%, 40% and 11% of body weight on days 6, 16 (larvae) and 26 (juveniles) respectively. Size variation increased markedly with development.     

On the induced spawning and larval rearing of milkfish,Chanos chanos (Forskal)

A female milkfish, captured at sea, was injected with two hormonal injections of acetone-dried salmon pituitary powder and human chorionic gonadotropin, plus Vitamin B complex. It was stripped, and produced 128,000 ripe eggs with an average diameter of 1.15 mm. Fertilization rate was 38% following artificial fertilization with milt from an uninjected male. A total of 36,000 larvae hatched (74% of fertile eggs) after 26–32 h at 34 ‰ salinity and 27–32°C. The newly hatched larvae measured 3.4 mm in mean total length and possessed a large yolk sac. The mouth of the larvae opened about 54 h after hatching. The larvae were fed with fertilized oyster eggs, rotifers, copepods, brine shrimp, flour and prepared feed, together with Chlorella. A critical period was between the 4th and 6th days with mortality over 80%. The larvae started increasing in length by Day 8, and had the appearance of the wild fry by Day 11. On Day 13 a pigmentation pattern developed and the biggest larva measured 10.0 mm. By Day 18 the larvae measured 12.5 mm, and 14.5 mm by Day 21. A total of 2,859 fry was obtained; the highest larval survival rate obtained from different experimental groups was 46.8%.     

丁Gui胚胎发育和卵黄囊仔鱼摄食研究

对丁Gui的胚胎发育进行了连续观察，并对其卵黄囊仔鱼在开口摄食之前的发育、生长以及不可逆点作了实验研究。结果表明：（1）丁Gui受精卵在水温21.5℃时，胚胎发育时间约为52h；（2）仔鱼在孵出后第7天开始摄食，初次摄食率第9天达100%，第12天降到50%，进入不可逆点；（3）仔鱼对卵黄囊的日净消耗量的最大值出现在出膜后第1天，体长最大增长率出现的在出膜后的第2天；（4）仔全出膜后第8天，卵黄囊全部吸收，同时，饥饿期仔鱼开始出现负生长。     

Larval development in European hake (Merluccius merluccius L.) reared in a semi-intensive culture system

Eggs of European hake (Merluccius merluccius L.) were stripped from fish caught at sea. Larvae were kept under semi‐intensive conditions at around 12°C. In addition, eggs were incubated in single wells at 9.2, 12.7 and 14.5°C, where hatching, development and survival were closely examined. During the larval stage, a total of 299 larvae were sampled to follow development and growth. In addition a small number of juveniles were sampled. Larvae hatched approximately 4 days after fertilization, and were 2.9 mm in total length (TL). At 6‐day post hatching (dph), the larvae were 4.1 mm (TL), the jaw apparatus was developed, and the larvae had started to feed. Most of the growth during the early larval period is restricted to the head, and there is almost no increase in length for the first 3–4 weeks post hatching. Teeth and pelvic fins appear at 25 dph. Development of unpaired fins at approximately 30 dph marks the start of the larval–juvenile transition. Weaning to formulated feed was accomplished 50 dph, when external morphology was similar to that of adult hake.     

Early Larval Growth of Pacific Halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis

Growth of Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis larvae was studied in the laboratory during 1989 and 1991. Larvae increased in length from 6.3 mm at hatching to 9.9 mm 20 d post-hatch. The average daily length increment was 0.17 mm. Dry weight of the larvae increased from an average of 210 μg at hatching to 570 μ g on day 20, providing a specific growth rate of 4.99. During the same period, mean yolk sac weight decreased from 1,390 μ g to 646 μ g, resulting in a yolk to body conversion efficiency of 48.5%. At hatching, the larval body made up only 13% of total dry weight. On day 20, the larval body made up 46.9% of the total weight. Larvae started feeding at a length of 12 mm after about 90% of their yolk sac had been absorbed.     

马拉瓜丽体鱼仔鱼饥饿试验及不可逆点的确定

在（28±1）℃条件下对马拉瓜丽体鱼（Cichlasoma managuense）仔鱼进行饥饿试验,确定仔鱼的不可逆点（PNR）,并研究延迟投饵对仔鱼成活和生长的影响。结果显示,仔鱼在4日龄时开口摄食,进入混合营养期,持续3 d;7日龄时卵黄囊消失,进入外源营养期。初次摄食率开始时仅为15%,6日龄时的初次摄食率最高达100%,9日龄以后初次摄食率急剧下降,PNR出现在仔鱼孵出后第9至第10日龄。延迟投饵1～3 d对仔鱼的成活率影响不大,延迟投饵4 d以上仔鱼成活率明显下降。完全饥饿条件下仔鱼全长在0～8日龄为正增长,之后开始转为负增长。延迟投饵1～3 d的12日龄仔鱼全长无显著差异（P〉0.05）;延迟投饵超过4 d的仔鱼全长则有极显著差异（P〈0.01）。马拉瓜丽体鱼仔鱼的最佳投喂时间应在仔鱼开口后的3 d之内。     

Voluntary Spawning, Early Development, and Completion of the Life Cycle of Spotted Sand Bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus in the Laboratory

Abstract.— Spawning behavior and development of spotted sand bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus were studied in the laboratory. Captive fish (15–20 cm standard length) spawned in 100-L aquaria at 24 C and 35 ppt salinity with a controlled photoperiod (13 h light: 11 h dark). Distinct courtship coloration and displays were observed. Courtship began near noon and continued all afternoon. Spawning occurred toward the surface during late afternoon. Development from fertilization to 3 d after hatching is described. Hatching occurred in 24–25 h at 24 C. Larvae were reared in 100-L aquaria with microalgae, rotifers, and Artemia . First feeding occurred 3 d after hatching, and 5.3% survival was obtained at 17 d (4.1-mm mean notochord length, 1.7–5.5 mm range). On a diet of minced clams and fish, first maturity was reached at 7.5 mo (19.5 g mean weight, 8.3–37.9 g range and 90 mm mean standard length, 66–116 mm range).     

大弹涂鱼仔鱼的摄食、生长和成活的研究

本文主要论述大弹涂鱼仔鱼阶段有关摄食和生长发育，以及不同饵料对仔鱼生长和成活的影响。结果表明，孵化后3—5日龄即仔鱼危险期，正处于内源性(包括混合性)营养转入外源性营养。颗粒有机碎屑是仔鱼的开口饵料，培育期间以底栖硅藻分解后形成的颗粒有机碎屑为饵料，其后期仔鱼成活率高达42．04％。6日龄起逐渐加投桡足类幼体和成体，其16日龄后期仔鱼平均全长可达6．15mm，平均体重1．24mg．     

Culture of larvae of the white mullet,Mugil curema Valenciennes

Planktonic eggs of the white mullet, Mugil curema, were collected in Biscayne Bay, Florida, and the larvae were reared in four laboratory experiments. Static rearing systems were used and copepod nauplii and copepodites were fed to larvae. Larvae grew from 2.1 mm standard length (SL) at hatching to 28.5 mm SL (35.9 mm total length) at 36 days after hatching. No significant mortalities occurred beyond 12 days after hatching. At 20 days, survival ranged from 1.2 to 23.0%. Most larval mortality occurred when larvae sank to the bottom of the rearing tanks, a phenomenon previously reported for striped mullet, Mugil cephalus. Successful culture of white mullet could have potential for meeting the demands of the live bait market for recreational fishing in south Florida.     

雅鲁藏布江尖裸鲤胚胎和仔稚鱼发育的研究

尖裸鲤(Oxygymnocypris stewartii)成熟卵呈圆形,黄色,沉性,卵径(2.57±0.07)mm,受精卵吸水充分膨胀后卵径为(3.22±0.07)mm。水温9.5～11.8℃,尖裸鲤胚胎发育历时265h,根据胚胎发育的外部形态及典型特征,将其分为受精卵、胚盘形成、卵裂、囊胚、原肠、神经胚、器官分化和孵化共8个阶段、32个时期。出膜仔鱼全长(10.27±0.15)mm,出膜20d后卵黄耗尽,全长(15.22±0.27)mm。出膜后80d,鱼苗全长(23.65±0.59)mm,臀鳞出现,各鳍均已出现,鱼苗侧线全部形成且清晰,体色和体型接近成鱼。尖裸鲤早期发育的特点反映了其对雅鲁藏布江水域的适应性。报道了尖裸鲤胚胎发育和仔稚鱼发育的生物学特性,为雅鲁藏布江特有鱼类资源保护利用提供科学依据和理论基础。     

杂交鳢仔鱼饥饿试验及不可逆点的确定

利用人工孵化的杂交鳢初孵仔鱼,在水温(26±1)℃条件下进行其饥饿试验并确定仔鱼的初次摄食不可逆点(PNR)。结果表明,杂交鳢仔鱼孵化后第2天开始摄食,进入混合营养期,此时卵黄囊缩小至原来的1/2,与油球一同继续被仔鱼吸收;孵化后第7天卵黄囊和油球被完全吸收,混合营养期为5d。杂交鳢仔鱼最高初次摄食率出现在孵化后第6天,此时卵黄囊已吸收完全,油球有残留。当初次摄食率降至最高初次摄食率的50%时,仔鱼进入不可逆期,不可逆点出现在仔鱼孵出后的第7～8天。     

Embryonic and larval development of honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra Bloch

Spawning and successful rearing of larvae of honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra Bloch 1793 upto juvenile stage was accomplished at the finfish hatchery of Mandapam Regional Centre of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute during 2004. The fertilized eggs were free, spherical and buoyant with size ranging from 710 to 730 μm. Complete early embryonic development took place within 24–27 h and hatching occurred. The hatchlings measured 1.5 mm. Mouth opening (115 μm) appeared at 72 h when the larvae were 2.2 mm in size. Pectoral fin developed on the fifth day. Complete metamorphosis took place and by the 60th day the larvae transformed into juveniles (45 mm) and attained skin colouration and honeycomb pattern.     

Reproduction, gamete supply and larval rearing of New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite 1910) and brill Colistium guntheri (Hutton 1873): a potential new aquaculture species

New Zealand turbot Colistium nudipinnis (Waite 1910) and brill Colistium guntheri (Hutton 1873) were studied to assess their potential for aquaculture development. The reproductive cycle of wild fish showed a long spawning season from winter to summer, during which it is possible to obtain gametes. Both species have a diurnal ovulatory cycle, and gamete collection, by stripping and fertilizing at sea, was most successful within 2–3 h before and after sunset. Male reproductive anatomy suggests that these flatfish spawn in close proximity and that pair formation is highly likely. The eggs of both species have multiple oil droplets, turbot eggs being slightly larger (0.99 mm diameter) with more droplets (18–55) than brill eggs (0.97 mm, 13–26 droplets). Hatching occurred approximately 84 h after fertilization at 14 °C. Newly hatched turbot averaged 2.2 mm in length, and brill averaged 2.1 mm. First feeding began 4 days post-hatch (DPH). During larval rearing, rotifers were replaced by Artemia nauplii at 10 DPH. Metamorphosis commenced at 12–15 DPH and was completed and the larvae settled by 45 DPH. Weaning to inert foods began at 20–22 DPH (50 mg weight) and was completed by 57 DPH. Survival of turbot was 22.8% from fertilized egg to hatching, 7.3% through incubation to 22 DPH and 2.1% through incubation to fully weaned juveniles. Weaning success for turbot from metamorphosis to 57 DPH was 31.5%.     

Habitat shift of ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in early stages from waters adjacent to the bank to the center of flow in the Shimanto Estuary

ABSTRACT: To clarify the habitats of the ayu in the early stages of development in the Shimanto Estuary, the size and hatching date of the larval and juvenile ayu were examined. Sizes of larvae and juveniles were larger in the center of the flow area than in the waters adjacent to the estuary's banks, which suggests that larvae shift habitat to the center of flow from the waters along the estuary's banks. This shift began at approximately 20 mm body length. However, the resident term in the waters adjacent to the estuary's banks changed with the hatching dates; that is, the early and late-hatched larvae became short and long-term residents, respectively. A similar phenomenon was found also in the juveniles collected in the freshwater section that were migrating upstream. The growth rates of larval ayu in the waters adjacent to the banks tended to decrease with hatching dates. The fluctuations in growth rate with hatching date appear to be a factor leading to the variation of resident term.