Juvenile Stages and Effect of Salinity on the Survival of Larvae and Juveniles in the Striped Fingerfish, Monodactylus sebae

Abstract

Laboratory-raised juveniles of Monodactylus sebae began to develop scales at about 10.0 mm TL.The pelvic fins were disproportionally large, but the growth of the first (longest) soft ray was completed at about 15.0 mm TL.The adult color pattern was established at about 30.0 mm TL.Monodactylus sebae was stenohaline during the postlarval stage, being able to adjust well to only around 25-50 % sea water.The fish became euryhaline on or shortly after it reached the juvenile stage at about 9.0 mm TL about 30 days after hatching.This stage will be one of the most important turning points in the life of M.sebae both morphologically and physiologically.