Spawning, Embryonic and Larval Development of the Mangrove Goby Mugilogobius Cavifrons (Gobiidae) Reared in Captivity

Abstract

The spawning, embryonic and larval development of Mugilogobius cavifrons were described for the first time to improve the knowledge of reproductive biology and the taxonomic identification at the early stages of Mugilogobius sp. The male only mated with one female. The spawning occurs at 14:00–16:00. The eggs were attached to the PVC pipe in a single layer. Fecundity ranges from 1023 to 7280 eggs per spawning event. The spawning interval was 2–9 days. The fertilized eggs measured 1.16–1.39 × 0.50–0.57 mm, were ellipsoid with an attached filament, and demersal. Hatching occurred 60 h 33 min after fertilization at 24.4 ± 0.2 °C. Newly hatched larvae were 2.29 mm in total length (TL) with 25–26 myomeres. The maxilla and mandible were functional but not fully developed. The larvae presented numerous stellate melanophores on the ventral contour of the body and ventral-abdominal gut. Nine days post hatching (DPH, 4.19 mm TL), the mouth was completely differentiated. At 4.73 mm TL, the soft rays of the dorsal and anal fins had begun to develop. At 5.60 mm TL, the notochord end flexion was completed. At 7.90 mm TL, the number of fin spines and soft rays was that found in adults. By 45 DPH, at 20.77 mm TL, vertical black stripes appeared on the head, body, dorsal fins, anal fin, and caudal fin. The metamorphosis was complete.