Sebastes pachycephalus nigricans (SCHMIDT) is a viviparous fish.
On December 8, 1956, a female parent fish kept in the aquarium for 2 days after being caught spawned larvae, at the Mekari Aquarium, in Moji City, Kyushu. The author reared these larvae for about one month in a glass jar, feeding with the brine shrimp nauplii.
Newiy spawned larvae (Fig. A), measuring 6.9-7.0mm in total length, had aremnant of yolk, and swam freely in the glass jar. The myotome number was 10+16-17=26-27. The pectoral fins were large prvided with 17-18 rays, which were densely pigmented with melanophores showing characteristic black appearance. The melanophores and small orange pigment cells were distributed on the head and trunk.
In 2 or 3 days after spawning the larva (B) attained 7.15mm in total length and the yolk was entirely consumed.
In 20 days after spawning the larva (C) measuring 9.75mm in total length reached the end of the post-larval stage. All the fins were well formed with a complete set of rays (D. XIII-12, A. III-6-7, V.I-5, P.16-18). The larva covered with melanophores and orange pigment cells from head to tail. The pectoral fins, ventral fins and the anterior part of dorsal fin were densely covered with melanophores. In addition to melanophores, the pectoral fins are densely distributed with orange pigment cells, effecting in a golden lustre.
The larvae lived for 28 days in the laboratory.
