Abstract
A series of laboratory studies of the early life history of the temperate zone reef fish, Tautoga onitis (Linnaeus) (Family: Labridae) was conducted. Eggs hatched at approximately 48 h post fertilization at 20 °C. Newly hatched larvae had a rudimentary, straight alimentary canal and external chromatophores. Larvae were capable of feeding by 52 h post hatching, and had exhausted their yolk supply by 58 h. Growth in length was linear throughout development; growth in dry weight was exponential. Larvae reached metamorphosis at 17 days post hatching, which agrees with previous estimates derived from analysis of otolith annuli of field-caught juveniles. Prey density had a strong effect on growth and development. Rates of growth in length and dry weight were significantly reduced in larvae cultured at a Zooplankton prey density of 100 l −1. Rates of growth at 1000 zooplankters · l −1 (0.21 mm day −1; 0.26 day −1) were similar to those reported for other species of labrid. Rates of mortality were variable and not related to prey concentration. However, low prey density may extend larval duration, which may expose larvae to increased risk of predation.
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