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Observations on natural breeding and larval development of the common mud-eel Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.)

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Abstract

Amphipnous cuchia is a rare fish in India with a spawning period confined down to peak summer. The fish lays its eggs in especially prepared nest-holes and keeps a guard on the developing young ones. The yolk reserve persists till about 22 to 24 days of development. Larvae respond to direct feeding even before yolk-absorption. The young ones feed actively on chironomus larvae. Surface breaking habit for aerial respiration apparently commences around 15th–16th day of larval life. Adult characters are almost attained in about a month's time.

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Banerji, S.R., Singh, M.L. & Thakur, N.K. Observations on natural breeding and larval development of the common mud-eel Amphipnous cuchia (Ham.). Hydrobiologia 79, 147–155 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006122

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