Captive spawning and embryonic development of marine ornamental purple firefish Nemateleotris decora (Randall & Allen, 1973)

摘要: Abstract Courtship behaviour, captive breeding, embryonic and larval developments of Nemateleotris decora its rearing with suitable live feed were described. Different age groups (60–100 mm TL) stocked (glass aquaria, 500 L) in outdoor transparent roofed hatchery at water temperature 29 ± 1 °C for pair formation. After 6 months rearing, 4 pairs formed. The size the female ranged from 60 to 90 mm males 90 100 mm. Each was then 250-L perspex breeding tanks indoor unit a photoperiod 14 L: 10 D by 40-W bulb suspended 20 cm above surface. environmental parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen pH, NO 2 , 3 NH maintained levels monitored once 24 h. daily fed cooked meat squid, shrimp, green mussel, raw fish egg mass 10% their body weight four split doses adult artemia (10–15 per day). began spawn after acquisition tanks. spawning consisted 400 500 eggs, which elliptical shape length 1.1 ± 0.1 mm maximum width 0.4 mm. incubation period lasted 96 h 28 ± 1 °C, most time, guarded eggs than did females. development colour changes during documented. hatching percentage 93% 98% 29 °C. newly hatched larva varied between 1.9 ± 0.1 mm long mouth gape 110 μm, behaviour also Larval carried out rectangular using phytoplanktons Nannochloropsis oculata Chlorella salina (1:1 proportion 1–5 × 10 6 cells ml − 1 ), along different combinations micro zooplanktons: Diet I ( Brachionus rotundiformis 1 7 dph plicatilis 8 18 dph), II (ciliates Euplotes sp. B. 18 dph) III: 18 dph IV (Calaniod copepod Acartia danae nauplii 18 dph). In all diets, Artemia 19 40 dph standardize provided 24 h light. All zooplankton species except copepods enriched Algamac 2000. Out tested showed survival rate (66% ± 0.23%) followed (40% ± 0.40%), (10% ± 0.61%) III (3% ± 0.46%). larvae metamorphosed juveniles within 35 40 days post-hatch (dph). This is first scientific report on N. under captivity.