Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hatching time in spherical, pelagic, marine fish eggs in response to temperature and egg size

  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Synopsis

The relationship between egg diameter ((π, mm), temperature (T, °C) and egg development time to hatching (D, in days) was established for approximately spherical, pelagic marine fish eggs as log10D = 7.10 + 0.608 log10 π − 4.09 log10 (T + 26), which explains 82% of the variance of a data set of 140 cases, covering 84 species of teleost fishes, for temperatures from 2.8 to 29.5° C and eggs of 0.6 to 3.4 mm diameter.

From this relationship it appears that temperature has 4.7 times as much effect on development time as egg diameter when all variables are expressed in standard deviation units. A discussion of these and related factors is given.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References cited

  • Ahlstrom, E.H. & H.G. Moser. 1980. Characters useful in identification of pelagic marine fish eggs. Calif. Coop. Oceanic Fish. Invest. Rep. 21: 121–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alderdice, D.F. 1985. A pragmatic view of early life history studies of fishes. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 114: 445–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alderdice, D.F. & F.P.J. Velsen. 1978. Relation between temperature and incubation time for eggs of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 35: 69–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alderdice, D.F., W.P. Wickett & J.R. Brett. 1958. Some effects of temporary exposure to low dissolved oxygen levels on Pacific salmon eggs. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 15: 229–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Apstein, C. 1909. Die Bestimmung des Alters pelagisch lebender Fischeier. Mitt. Dtsch. Seefisch. Ver. 25: 364–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balon, E.K. 1984. Reflections on some decisive events in the early life of fishes. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 113: 172–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnabé, G. 1976. Rapport technique sur la ponte induite et l'élevage des larves du loup Dicentrarchus labrax (L.) et de la daurade Sparus aurata (L.). Etud. Rev., Cons. Gen. Pches Mediterr. 55: 63–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaxter, J.H.S. 1956. Herring rearing. II. The effect of temperature and other factors on development. Mar. Res. Scod. 5: 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaxter, J.H.S. 1969. Development: eggs and larvae. pp. 177–252. In: W.S. Hoar & D.J. Randall (ed.) Fish Physiology, Vol. 3, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breder, C.M., Jr. & D.E. Rosen. 1966. Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Jersey City. 941 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgan, B.G. & K.A. Zseleczky. n.d. Induced spawning and early development of the rabbitfish, Siganus argenteus (Quoy and Guimard) in the Philippines. Contribution from the Marine Laboratory, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. 9 p. (Mimeo).

  • Cardeilac, P.T. 1976. Induced maturation and development of pinfish eggs. Aquaculture 8: 389–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhuri, H., J.V. Juario, H. Primavera, R. Samson & R. Mateo. 1978. Observations on artificial fertilization of eggs and the embryonic and larval development of milkfish, Chanos chanos (Forsk»l). Aquaculture 13: 95–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F.Y., M. Chow & R. Lim. 1977. Artificial spawning and larval rearing of the grouper, Epinephelus tauvina (Forsk»l) in Singapore. Singapore J. Primary Ind. 5: 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisp, D.T. 1981. A desk study of the relationship between temperature and hatching time for the eggs of five species of salmonid fishes. Freshwat. Biol. 11: 361–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dannevig, H. 1895. The influence of temperature on the development of the eggs of fishes. Rep. Fish. Board Scod. 1894: 147–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delsman, H.C. 1972. Fish eggs and larvae from the Java Sea. Linnaeus Press, Amsterdam. 420 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, W. 1958. Early phases of development in blanquillo (Prolatilus jugularis) Cuv. et Val. (Pisces). Rev. Biol. Mar., Valparaiso 8: 3–24. (In Spanish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritzsche, R.A. 1978. Development of fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. An atlas of egg, larval and juvenile stages. Vol. 5. Chaetodontidae through Ophidiidae. Biol. Serv. Progr. FWS/OBS-78/12, Fish Wildl. Serv. USA Dep. Int. 340 pp.

  • Fukuhara, O. 1977. Some morphological observations on larvae and juveniles of the kurodai, Mylio macrocephalus (Sparidae: TELEOSTEI) reared in the laboratory. Bull. Nansei Reg. Fish. Res. Lab. 10: 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimes, P.J. & D.A. Robertson. 1981. Egg and larval development of the silver warehou, Seriolella punctata (Pisces: Centrolophidae). N.Z. J. Mar. Freshwat. Res. 15: 261–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harada, T., S. Miyashita & H. Yoneshima. 1980. Effect of water temperature on yellowfin tuna hatching. Mem. Fac. Agric., Kinki Univ. 13: 29–32. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, J.D. Jr. 1978(a). Development of fishes. Vol. 2. Anguillidae through Syngnathidae. Biol. Serv. Progr. FWS/ OBS-78/12, Fish Wildl. Serv. USA Dep. Int. 458 pp.

  • Hardy, J.D., Jr. 1978(b). Development of fishes. Vol. 3. Aphredoderidae through Rachycentridae Biol. Serv. Progr. FWS/ OBS-78/12, Fish Wildl. Serv. USA Dept. Int. 394 pp.

  • Hayes, F.R. 1949. The growth, general chemistry and temperature relations of salmonid eggs. Q. Rev. Biol. 24: 281–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hempel, G. 1979. Early life history of marine fish: the egg stage. Washington Sea Grant publication, University of Washington, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoestlandt, H. & A. Devienne. 1980. Precision sur la relation entre la durée d' incubation et la temperature chez le poisson teleostéen, Perca fluviatilis L. C.R. Acad. Sci. Ser. D 290: 1123–1125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussain, N., M. Sail & M. Ukawa. 1975. On the culture of Epinephelus tauvina (Forsk»l). Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Salmiya. 12 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussain, N., S. Akatsu & C. El-Zahr. 1981. Spawning, egg and early larval development, and growth of Acanthopagrus cuvieri (Sparidae). Aquaculture 22: 125–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ignatyeva, G.M. 1974. Relative durations of corresponding periods of early embryogenesis in teleosts. Sov. J. Dev. Biol. 5: 379–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoue, M., K. Tutumi, H. Nagaoka & T. Nagata. 1974. Some notes on the artificial fertilization and rearing of larvae in the skipjack tuna. J. Fac. Mar. Sci. Technol., Tokai Univ. 8: 37–42. (In Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, G.D. 1978. Development of fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. An atlas of egg, larval, and juvenile stages. Vol. 4. Carangidae through Ephippidae. U.S. Dep. Int. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Serv. Progr. FWS/OBS-78/12, Jan. 1978:123–128.

  • Jones, P.W., F.D. Martin & J.D. Hardy, Jr. 1978. Development of fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. An atlas of eggs, larvae and juvenile stages. Fish Wildl. Serv., U.S. Dep. Inter. (1). 336 pp.

  • King, D.P.F. 1977. Influence of temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity on incubation and early larval development of the South West African pilchard Sardinops ocellata. Invest. Rep. Sea Fish. Br. S. Afr. 114: 1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuo, C.-M., Z.H. Shehadeh & K.K. Milisen. 1973. A preliminary report on the development, growth and survival of laboratory reared larvae of the grey mullet, Mugil cephalus L. J. Fish Biol. 5: 459–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuronuma, K. & K. Fukusho. 1984. Rearing of marine fish larvae in Japan. International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa. IDRC - TS 47e. 109 pp.

  • Li, C.C. 1975. Path analysis — a primer. The Boxwood Press, Pacific Grove. 342 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao, I.-C., J.V. Juario, S. Kumagai, H. Nakajima, M. Natividad & P. Buri. 1979. On the induced spawning and larval rearing of milkfish, Chanos Chanos (Forsk»l). Aquaculture 18: 75–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, F.D. & G.E. Drewery (ed.). 1978. Development of fishes of the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Fish. Wildl. Serv., U.S. Dept. Inter. (6). 416 pp.

  • Robertson, D.A. 1981. Possible functions of surface structure and size in some planktonic eggs of marine fishes. N.Z. J. Mar. Freshwat. Res. 15: 147–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, F.S. 1976. The eggs and planktonic stages of British marine fishes. Academic Press, London. 524 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryland, J.S. & J.H. Nichols. 1975. Effect of temperature on the embryonic development of the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L. (Teleostei). J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 18: 121–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saville, A. (ed.). 1977. Survey methods of appraising fishery resources. FAO Fish. Tech. Pap. 171, Rome. 76 pp.

  • Sebastian, M.J. & V.A. Nair. 1975. The induced spawning of the grey mullet, Mugil macrolepis (Aguas) Smith, and the large-scale rearing of its larvae. Aquaculture 5: 41–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki, K. & S. Hioki. 1979. Spawning behavior, eggs, and larvae of the lutjanid fish, Lutjanus kasmira, in an aquarium. Jap. J. Ichthyol. 26: 161–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, B.M., S.P. Milligan & J.H. Nichols. 1981. The development rates of sprat (Sprattus sprattus L.) eggs over a range of temperatures. CM 1981/H: 15. Pelagic Fish. Comm., Int. Counc. Explor. Sea. 6 + 4 p. (mimeo).

  • Wongsomnuk, S. & S. Manevonk. 1973. Results of experiment on artificial breeding and larval rearing of the sea bass (Lates calcarifer Bloch). Contribution No. 5, October 1973. Songkla Marine Fisheries Station, Department of Fisheries, Bangkok. English translation from original Thai by Aquaculture International (Australia) Pty. Ltd., P.O. Box 180, Plympton, S. Australia 5039. 21 pp.

  • Yusa, T. 1979. Early life history of stone flounder. ICES/ELH Symp. Woods Hole. April 1979 (mimeo).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), MC PO Box 1501, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines

    Daniel Pauly & Roger S. V. Pullin

Authors
  1. Daniel Pauly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roger S. V. Pullin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

ICLARM Contribution No. 308.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pauly, D., Pullin, R.S.V. Hatching time in spherical, pelagic, marine fish eggs in response to temperature and egg size. Environ Biol Fish 22, 261–271 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004892

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004892

Key words

Search

Navigation