Abstract
Embryonic, larval and juvenile development of the cottid fish, Pseudoblennius cottoides, were described based on a series of laboratory-reared specimens. The eggs were demersal, ad-hesive, almost spherical in shape, measuring 1.60-1.98mm in diameter, and with numerous various-sized oil globules. Neighboring eggs adhered to each other to form an egg mass. Hatching occurred between 13 and 15 days after spawning at a water temperature of 15.2 to 17.0°C. Newly hatched larvae measured from 6.3 to 7.1mm, averaging 6.7mm TL, and possessed 40 myomeres. Absorption of the yolk was completed at about 7.5mm TL. Flexion of the notochord started and finished at about 10mm TL and about 14mm TL, respectively. Aggregate numbers of all fin rays were completed at over 16mm TL, at which time the larvae reached the juvenile stage. The pigment pattern became the same as that of adults in juveniles longer than 20mm. TL. Lateral lines were completed at over 37mm TL, at which time the juveniles attained to the young stage.
