Morphological Development of Larvae and Juveniles of Acanthopagrus schlegeli

Abstract

Newly hatched black porgy larvae (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) swam to the surface, with the mouth and anus still closed and were 1.90-2.11 mm (mean, 2.0 mm) in total length (TL). The larvae were 2.71-2.94 mm TL (mean, 2.82 mm) on day 2 after hatching. At this time, about two-thirds of the yolk was absorbed, the bladder and intestines had formed, and the mouth and anus were open. Total length was 4.32-4.66 mm (mean, 4.45 mm) at the post-larval stage on days 5-6 after hatching, and the yolk and oil globule were almost absorbed. The end of the notochord began to flex, and 6-8 caudal fin rays were visible. The larvae were 15.37-16.1 mm TL (mean, 15.83 mm) at the juvenile stage on days 30-32 after hatching, and the number of rays in all fins was completely revealed.