Breeding and early ontogeny of Siphonogobius nue in captivity

Abstract

Breeding habits and early ontogeny of Siphonogobius nue were observed in aquarium. Three males and five females spawned nine times from April 2 through July 27 in 2011, and a single pair spawned eight times from March 30 through July 12 in 2012, under the water temperature 12.0-23.5°C. Clutch size per spawning ranged from 1603-2461. Transparent fusiform eggs hung in a layer from the ceiling of the spawning nest of the guarding male. Egg size was 3.80±0.07 mm (n=20) in the major axis and 0.93±0.33mm (n=20) in the minor axis. Hatching began about 500 hours after spawning under the water temperature 12.2°C. Total length (TL), and number of myomeres (n=10) were 4.90±0.23 mm TL, and 13+19-20=32-33, respectively. Mouth and anus had already opened but the yolk still remained. After hatching, 20-50 individuals/ml of Brachionus plicatilis were fed. Artemia salina was given 8 days after hatching. 55 days after hatching, they reached the juvenile stage at 36.40 mm TL. Specific characteristics of S. nue larvae are as follows: number of myomeres 32-33, and three single large dendritic melanophores on the ventral side of the trunk above the anus, dorsal, and ventral sides of the caudal peduncle.