Developmental Characteristics of a Freshwater Goby, Micropercops swinhonis, from Korea

Abstract

The embryonic and larval development of a freshwater goby, Micropercops swinhonis (Odontobutidae; Gobioidei), from Korea are described. One female spawned several times from mid-April to early July. About 100 to 500 eggs per batch were laid on the under surface of the nest guarded by a male. Eggs hatched 12 days after spawning. Larvae, about 3.7 mm in total length (TL) just after hatching, passed the exogenous feeding larval stage, and reached the juvenile stage of about 16 mm TL in about one month. The developmental process of M. swinhonis is quite different from that of the fluvial Odontobutis of the same family, which skips the exogenous feeding larval stage, but is rather similar to that of amphidromous Gobiidae. On the other hand, the left and right pelvic fin buds of M. swinhonis appear distant from each other as in Odontobutis, rather than Gobiidae.