Development and Early Life History of the Greenlings Hexagrammos otakii (Pices: Hexagrammidae) Reared in the Laboratory

Abstract

The larval development and growth of Hexagrammos otakii are described based on a series of 716 reared specimens, ranging between 7 and 50mm standard length (SL). Details on development of larvae and juvenile stages are illustrated, with special reference to segmentation and branching of the fins.
Transformation from the larval to the juvenile stage occurred between 14.7 to 18.7mm SL, (18.0 to 23.3mm in total length). Segmentation of all the fin rays finished completely by the time the larvae attained about 20mm in standard length. The larvae grew slowly up to the transitional phase, and rapidly afterwards attaining an average SL of 46.1mm at 105 days after harching.