Abstract
The development of the eggs and larvae and minute tubercles on the skin surface of Paracheilognathus himantegus larvae were observed. The egg began to hatch approximately 68 hours after insemination and the larvae reached the free-swimming stage 23 days after hatching at water temperature of 22±1°C. The larval development and minute tubercles on the skin surface of this species were similar to those of Acheilognathus lanceolata, A. limbata, A. signifer and Tanakia tanago. However, the shape of the ripe eggs of P. himantegus differed from those of the four species. As regards the shape of eggs, there was a common characteristic among P. himantegus, Rhodeus uyekii and A. limbata from Korea. As regards larval development, P. himantegus had two characters also found in Rhodeus. These facts seem to suggest that P. himantegus is closely related to A. lanceolata, A. limbata, A. signifer and T. tanago but is more specialized than these four species, except for A. limbata from Korea.
