Mm In Total Length Research Articles

Validation of band counts in eyestalks for the determination of age of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba.

Using known-age Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) grown from eggs hatched at two different laboratories, we validate the annual pattern of bands deposited in the eyestalks of krill and determine the absolute age of these animals. Ages two through five years were validated, and these animals ranged from 37.1 to 62.6 mm in total length. The band counts in these individuals were either identical to their absolute ages, or only failed to agree by a few months, which demonstrates the accuracy of this method. Precision and bias were estimated graphically using Chang’s index (Coefficient of Variation = 5.03%). High accuracy and precision between readers and low ageing bias indicate that longitudinal sections of eyestalks can be used to age krill in wild samples and to develop age-based stock assessment models for krill. Archival samples preserved in formalin (5%) and stored in ambient conditions were also readable. Ageing preserved krill will provide the opportunity to examine changes in growth among krill populations within the Southern Ocean and to retrospectively examine changes in krill production over the last century to better understand the historical and future impacts of climate change on this critical Southern Ocean species.

Diet of the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula in the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean)

ABSTRACTThe diet of the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula, captured in the Aegean Sea by bottom-trawl from 2006 to 2012, was investigated with respect to sex, maturity condition, sampling location and season. The stomach contents of 432 specimens, measuring from 144 to 517 mm in total length, were analysed. The cumulative prey curve showed that the sample size was adequate to describe the species’ diet, which was quantified using the percentage gravimetric composition (%W). The identified prey items belonged to eight major groups: Teleostei, Chondrichthyes, Crustacea, Cephalopoda, Annelida, Echinodermata, phanerogams and macroalgae, with Teleostei, Crustacea and Cephalopoda being the most consumed in both females (%W = 48.1, 16.0 and 31.4, respectively) and males (%W = 33.9, 31.6 and 29.8, respectively). Higher diet diversity was observed in males than females, in immature individuals than mature ones, regardless of sex, as well as in spring in comparison to autumn and winter. Feeding intensity seemed to be influenced mainly by sex and maturity condition. No significant dietary overlap was observed for all possible combinations of the factors examined. Gut indices were compared between the two sexes with females showing statistically significantly higher median relative gut length, as well as a longer gut than males of the same length. Based on the diet composition, S. canicula can be considered a generalist predator consuming, with geographical differentiation, a wide variety of benthic taxa. The estimated fractional trophic level (τ = 4.22) classified the species as a carnivore with a preference for Teleostei and Cephalopoda, thus confirming its key role in the food web.

Bending Resistance and Cyclic Fatigue Life of a new Single-File Reciprocating Instrument Waveone Gold.

Objective:The present study aimed to evaluate the bending resistance and cyclic fatigue fracture resistance of a new single-file reciprocating instrument called WaveOne Gold. Reciproc and WaveOne instruments were used as references for comparison.Methods:Sixty 25-mm NiTi instruments (Reciproc R25, WaveOne Primary and WaveOne Gold Primary) were tested. Flexibility was determined by applying 45° bending tests using a universal testing machine (n=10). A custom-made device was used during cyclic fatigue test (n=10), comprising a stainless steel artificial canal measuring 1.4 mm in diameter, 19 mm in total length with an 86° angle and 6 mm radius of curvature. Possible deformations at the helical shaft and mode of fracture were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance. Post hoc pair-wise comparisons were performed using Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons (P<0.05).Results:WaveOne presented significantly higher bending resistance than the other tested systems (P<0.05), whereas Reciproc presented the lowest bending resistance (P<0.05). Reciproc revealed a significantly longer cyclic fatigue fracture resistance than the other systems (P<0.05).Conclusion:Although WaveOne Gold presented higher flexibility than WaveOne, no differences in the resistance to fatigue were observed between both systems. The Reciproc files were more flexible and resistant to fatigue for the angle of curvature of 86° and 6 mm radius than WaveOne and WaveOne Gold files.

Impact of the great tsunami in 2011 on the quality of nursery grounds for juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in Sendai Bay, Japan

AbstractThe impact of the great tsunami, which was generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011, on the quality of a nursery ground for juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus with a sandy bottom of &lt;15 m in depth in Sendai Bay, Japan, was evaluated. Growth rates of juveniles, as an index of the quality of the nursery ground, were compared between before and after the tsunami. Recent growth rates (RGR; mm day−1) between 1 and 6 days before collection in 2011–2013, which were estimated from the width of otolith increments, ranged from 0.84 to 2.37 mm day−1 for juveniles of 24.8–146 mm in total length (TL). These figures are comparable to the maximum RGR for juvenile Japanese flounder in the literature. A linear model for RGR selected TL and bottom temperature but rejected biomass of the mysid Orientomysis mitsukurii, the main prey item, as explanatory variables, indicating that the growth rates of juveniles after the tsunami were not controlled by food density, i.e., optimal food condition occurred in the nursery. A linear model for observed growth rate (mm day−1), which was calculated from the temporal changes in the juvenile size frequency distribution, suggested the growth rate did not change between before and after the tsunami. Additional information on prey abundance and sediment size distribution also support this conclusion. Therefore, we conclude that the quality of the nursery ground for juvenile Japanese flounder in the study site has not been damaged by the great tsunami.

Seasonal distribution of short-tailed shearwaters and their prey in the Bering and Chukchi seas

Abstract. The short-tailed shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) is one of the abundant marine top predators in the Pacific; this seabird spends its non-breeding period in the northern North Pacific during May–October and many visit the southern Chukchi Sea in August–September. We examined potential factors affecting this seasonal pattern of distribution by counting short-tailed shearwaters from boats. Their main prey, krill, was sampled by net tows in the southeastern Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands and in the Bering Strait/southern Chukchi Sea. Short-tailed shearwaters were mainly distributed in the southeastern Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (60 ± 473 birds km−2) in July 2013, and in the Bering Strait/southern Chukchi Sea (19 ± 91 birds km−2) in September 2012. In the Bering Strait/southern Chukchi Sea, krill size was greater in September 2012 (9.6 ± 5.0 mm in total length) than in July 2013 (1.9 ± 1.2 mm). Within the Bering Strait/southern Chukchi Sea in September 2012, short-tailed shearwaters occurred more frequently in cells (50 × 50 km) where large-sized krill were more abundant. These findings, and information previously collected in other studies, suggest that the seasonal northward movement of short-tailed shearwaters might be associated with the seasonal increase in krill size in the Bering Strait/southern Chukchi Sea. We could not, however, rule out the possibility that large interannual variation in krill abundance might influence the seasonal distribution of shearwaters. This study highlights the importance of krill, which is advected from the Pacific, as an important prey of top predators in the Arctic marine ecosystem.

First Records of the Rare Snake Eel &lt;i&gt;Ophichthus exourus&lt;/i&gt; (Pisces: Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Northern Hemisphere

An old museum specimen of the rare deep-sea species Ophichthus exourus McCosker, 1999 (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) (685 mm in total length) collected near Saipan and a recently collected example from Okinawa, Japan (634 mm in total length) represent the first Northern Hemisphere records of the species, previously known only from the southwestern Pacific in waters off New Caledonia and Fiji, but now believed to be widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean. A detailed morphological observation based on the above specimens and a re-examination of the holotype resulted in a revision of some species characteristics, including the number of infraorbital pores. Ophichthus exourus is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: head 8.3–10.0% of total length; upper jaw 36.1–38.1% of head length; pectoral-fin rounded, length 19.2–24.1% of head length; rear margin of eye above or slightly behind rictus; eye diameter 44.4–61.2% of snout length; horizontal length of posterior nostril dermal flap much greater than diameter of anterior nostril tube; gill opening to dorsal-fin origin greater than twice pectoral-fin length; preopercular pores 2; predorsal and total vertebrae 20–21 and 173–177, respectively; lower-jaw teeth nearly uniserial; body without bands or spots; posteriormost portion (much shorter than head length) of anal-fin membrane indistinct darkish brown. A new standard Japanese name “Gunbai-umihebi” is proposed for the species.

Ultrastructural aspects and molecular phylogeny of Auerbachia maamouni n. sp. (Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) from the gallbladder of Gnathanodon speciosus Forsskål (Actinopterygii: Carangidae) in the Red Sea.

A new myxosporean parasite, Auerbachia maamouni n. sp., infecting the gallbladder of the golden trevally Gnathanodon speciosus Forsskål, is described, based on morphology, ultrastructure, and small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequencing. Of 50 fish collected from the Red Sea in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, five were found heavily infected with mature myxospores floating free in the bile. Mature spores are pyriform to club-shaped with smooth valves, and contain a single polar capsule with an S-shaped polar filament, arranged in 13-16 polar filament coils, oriented longitudinally, with an irregular distribution on the polar capsule matrix. Spores measure 15.8 (14-17) μm in total length in lateral view, 7.9 (6-9) μm in width in apical view, with spore body length of 6.2±0.4 (5-7) µm. The ellipsoidal polar capsule has two adjusted lateral folds 7.6 (6-8) µm long and 2 (2-3) µm wide. The new species is distinguished from other species of the genus based on spore morphometry and molecular data. The phylogenetic tree constructed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analysis of SSU rDNA sequence data supported the phylogenetic position of A. maamouni n. sp. among the species of Auerbachia Meglitsch, 1968 sequenced to date. Analysis of the SSU rDNA sequence data also supported the assumption that Auerbachia is closely related to members of the genera Coccomyxa Léger & Hesse, 1907, Zschokkella Auerbach, 1910 and Myxidium Bütschli, 1882, whose members inhabit the gallbladder of marine teleost fishes.

Reproductive biology of Sympterygia bonapartii (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae) in San Matías Gulf, Patagonia, Argentina

ABSTRACT This study estimates and analyses the reproductive parameters and cycle of Sympterygia bonapartii in San Matías Gulf, northern Patagonia, Argentina. A total of 827 males and 1,299 females were analysed. Males ranged from 185 to 687 mm of total length (TL) and females from 180 to 742 mm TL. Sexual dimorphism was detected; females were larger, heavier, exhibited heavier livers, wider discs and matured at lager sizes than males. Immature females ranged from 180 to 625 mm TL, maturing females from 408 to 720 mm TL, mature ones from 514 to 742 mm TL and females with egg capsules from 580 to 730 mm TL. Immature males ranged from 185 to 545 mm TL, maturing ones from 410 to 620 mm TL and mature males from 505 to 687 mm TL. Size at which 50% of the skates reached maturity was estimated to be 545 mm TL for males and 594 mm TL for females. According to the reproductive indexes analysed, S. bonapartii exhibited a seasonal reproductive pattern. Mating may occur during winter-early spring and the egg-laying season, during spring and summer.

VARIACIÓN INTERANUAL DE LA ESTRUCTURA DE TALLAS Y ASPECTOS REPRODUCTIVOS DEL CAMARÓN PINK (FARFANTEPENAEUS BREVIROSTRIS) EN EL PACÍFICO COLOMBIANO

The fishery of the deep water shrimp is a resource of great economic and social importance for the Colombian Pacific Coast. Farfantepenaeus brevirostris (pink shrimp) is the target resource supporting this fishery; however, reproductive information and the fishing effect on size structure with management implications, has not been documented in recent years. The aim of this study was to analyze the variation in size structure and reproductive aspects of F. brevirostris, therefore 45 hauls were sampled in three onboard fishery monitoring of the industrial trawl fleet per year, between 2009 and 2015. In each haul in situ morphometric characteristics and sexual maturity of 20262 individuals were recorded. 56.2% of individuals collected were females, however the ratio female: male of 1:0.8 was not significant. The size range caught by the fishing fleet did differ between sexes and years, showing that females were larger (50 mm and 200 mm in total length) than males (75 mm to 170 mm). In this regards, females showed the highest mean catch size in 2012 (128.04 mm) and the lowest in 2011 (114.9 mm), while males were larger in 2011 (166.6 mm) and smaller in 2015 (106.3 mm). The maturity function had a different pattern between sexes and constant variability in maturity curves among years, which meant estimating the average size at maturity (TMM) for F. brevirostris based on an average curve of seven years (TMM females = 130.6 mm and TMM males = 83.2 mm). The size structure obtained and maturity curves indicated that females are more susceptible to fishing (between 66% and 94% of immature individuals are harvested). However, catches showed that only 1% to 32% of males are immature, which enables a success reproductive strategy of the population to offset the fishing effect. Better control of gear selectivity and implementation of spatial-temporal fishing closures are suggested for the management and conservation of this resource.

Growth‐Increment Formation Using Otoliths and Scales for Age‐0 Chinook Salmon

AbstractRetrospective analysis is used to reconstruct fish body size at previous ages, with size and growth assumed to be accurately reflected by scale circuli and otolith increments. Using a 122‐d laboratory experiment, this study validated the relationship between fish body size and growth with scale circuli and otolith daily growth increments for age‐0 Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha. Somatic growth was accurately reflected by growth in scale radius and growth in otolith diameter, indicating that growth in these two measures was proportional to growth in fish length. Although the width between scale circuli reflected somatic growth, daily growth was not accurately reflected by the width between corresponding otolith daily increments. Study results showed that fish deposited new otolith increments on a daily basis, but that new scale circuli were deposited at each successive increase of 5 to 6 mm in total length. These findings provide a foundation for future retrospective growth analyses involving Chinook Salmon and allow for the conversion of otolith and scale measurements into fish lengths, which are meaningful in studies of growth and survival.Received November 5, 2015; accepted April 8, 2016 Published online August 26, 2016

Growth response of cultured larvae of silver theraponLeiopotherapon plumbeus(Kner, 1864) in outdoor tanks in relation to fertilizer type and fish density

This study evaluated the effects of fertilizer type and fish density on early growth and survival of silver therapon Leiopotherapon plumbeus (Kner, 1864) larvae reared in outdoor tanks. In the first experiment, larvae (1.92 ± 0.09 mm total length) were stocked into nine, 4 m3 tanks at an initial density of 0.5 larvae L−1 and reared for 42 days at an ambient temperature of 28.8–30.7°C. Three treatments with three replicates each were compared: organic (chicken manure, OF) or inorganic fertilizers (ammonium phosphate, IF) applied once every 2 weeks, and the unfertilized (NF) tanks serving as the control group. Water quality, zooplankton densities, survival or growth of L. plumbeus larvae did not vary significantly in either fertilized or unfertilized tanks. Fertilization resulted in elevated nutrient concentrations, which did affect survival (2.10%–6.07%) of the fish larvae. In the second experiment, larvae were stocked at densities of 0.4 or 0.6 larvae L−1 in tanks fertilized at 4–5 days interval with OF and IF for 30 days. Growth performance of L. plumbeus larvae was affected by fish density, with significantly larger (20.04 ± 2.65 mm in total length) and higher specific growth rate (SGR; 6.97 ± 0.48% day−1) at 0.4 larvae L−1 than at 0.6 L−1. Fry production did not vary significantly between fish density treatment groups given the same fertilizer types, but survival rates were improved at 0.4 L−1. Together, production of L. plumbeus larvae in outdoor tanks can be optimized at a lower stocking density, regardless of the type of fertilizer used.

Age, growth and reproduction of the Iranian goby, Ponticola iranicus (Perciformes: Gobiidae) from the southern Caspian Sea basin

To estimate reproductive biology of Ponticola iranicus Vasil’eva et al., 2015, in Sefidroud River in the southern Caspian Sea basin age, sex ratio, fecundity, oocytes diameter, gonadosomatic, modified gonadosomatic and dobriyal indices were measured. Regression analyses were used to find relations between fecundity and fish size (length and weight), gonad weight, and age. Mature females and males were longer than 46 and 49 mm in total length, +1 in age. The Von Bertalanffy growth models were L∞ = 23.00 cm (TL), K = 0.21, t0 =–0.25 for all specimens. Sex ratio was 1: 1.32 in favor of males. The average egg diameter was 0.96 mm. The spawning period extended from late February to late April. The averages of absolute and relative fecundity were calculated as 536.9 and 81.3, respectively. The absolute fecundity was significantly related to the body length and weight, as well as gonad weight.

Characterization of zebrafish larvae suction feeding flow using μPIV and optical coherence tomography

The hydrodynamics of suction feeding is critical for the survival of fish larvae; failure to capture food during the onset of autonomous feeding can rapidly lead to starvation and mortality. Fluid mechanics experiments that investigate the suction feeding of suspended particles are limited to adult fishes, which operate at large Reynolds numbers. This manuscript presents the first literature results in which the external velocity fields generated during suction feeding of early zebrafish larvae (2500–20,000 μm total length) are reported using time-resolved microscopic particle image velocimetry. For the larval stages studied, the maximum peak suction velocity of the inflow bolus is measured at a finite distance from the mouth tip and ranges from 1 to 8 mm/s. The average pressure gradient and the velocity profile proximal to the buccal (mouth) cavity are calculated, and two distinct trends are identified. External recirculation regions and reverse flow feeding cycles are also observed and quantified. One of the unresolved questions in fish suction feeding is the shape and dynamics of the buccal cavity during suction feeding; optical coherence tomography imaging is found to be useful for reconstructing the mouth kinematics. The projected area of the mouth cavity during the feeding cycle varies up to 160 and 22 % for the transverse and mid-sagittal planes, respectively. These findings can inspire novel hydrodynamically efficient biomedical and microfluidic devices.

Morphological Development of Embryo, Larvae and Juvenile in Yellowtail Kingfish, Seriola lalandi.

This study monitored the morphological development of embryo, larvae and juvenile yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, for their aquaculture. The fertilized eggs obtained by natural spawning were spherical shape and buoyant. Fertilized eggs were transparent and had one oil globule in the yolk, with an egg diameter of 1.35 ± 0.04 mm and an oil globule diameter of 0.32 ± 0.02 mm. The fertilized eggs hatched 67–75 h after fertilization in water at 20 ± 0.5°C. The total length (TL) of the hatched larvae was 3.62 ± 0.16 mm. During hatching, the larvae, with their mouth and anus not yet opened. The yolk was completely absorbed 3 days after hatching (DAH), while the TL of post-larvae was 4.72 ± 0.07 mm. At 40 DAH, the juveniles had grown to 30.44 ± 4.07 mm in TL, body depth increased, the body color changed to a black, yellow, and light gray-blue color, and 3–4 vertical stripes appeared. At 45 DAH, the juveniles were 38.67 ± 5.65 mm in TL and 10.10 ± 0.94 mm in body depth. The fish were green with a light orange color, with 7 faint green-brown stripes on the sides of their body. At 87 DAH, the juveniles had grown to 236.11 mm in TL, 217.68 mm in fork length, and 136.5 g in weight. The fish resembled their adult form, with a light yellow-green body color, loss of the pattern on the sides of their body, and a yellow coloration at the tip of the caudal fin.

Dental sexual dimorphism and morphology of Urotrygon microphthalmum

Dental sexual dimorphism has been described for different species of batoids, and it has been suggested that this differentiation is advantageous to reproduction in most cases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphology of the dentition in the ray Urotrygon microphthalmum using scanning electron microscopy. The present study brings a detailed description of morphological characteristics in males and females during ontogenetic development. Dental sexual dimorphism was observed both in maturing and mature males, while females maintain the same crushing shape dentition during all development stages. The teeth modification in males corresponds to the onset of maturation, which occurs when the animal reaches approximately 171.7 mm in total length, indicating that this morphological modification is closely related to mating behavior—grasp females during copulation thus ensuring body attachment and clasper insertion during swimming.

Reproductive cycles of the coral snake Micrurus nigrocinctus (Serpentes: Elapidae) in Costa Rica

The coral snake Micrurus nigrocinctus has two reproductive patterns in Costa Rica. Specimens of the Pacific population (M. n. nigrocinctus) mate during the early dry season (November, January). Oviposition takes place in February and March; the mean number of eggs was 7.9 (5-14) in this population. Births occur between April and June after 47-81 days of incubation. The total length of neonates is 168-212 mm, and the weight is 1.2-2.0 g. Specimens of the Atlantic population (M. n. mosquitensis) seem to have an extended breeding season. Oviposition in this subspecies was observed in March and June; the mean number of eggs was 6.7 (5-8). Births take place in May and August, after two months of incubation. Neonates have 173-189 mm in total length and 1.9-2.4 g in mass. Adult females are longer than males, especially in M. n. mosquitensis.

Food of &lt;i&gt;Pellonula leonensis&lt;/i&gt; (Boulenger,1916) in Ogbobiri River, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The food of Pellonula leonensis was studied as on-going investigation of clupeids in freshwaters, especially the Nun River and its catchment area in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The stomach contents of 160 specimens ranging from 30 mm-70 mm in total length, collected with Attalla liftnet from Ogobiri River around Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria were analysed using the numerical and frequency of occurrence methods. P. leonensis fed on a variety of organisms, with insects as the dominant food item constituting 36% of the number of the food items and occurred in 63% of the stomachs. Cladocerans comprised 32%for numbers and 55% for frequency of occurrence; rotifers contributed 14% for numbers and 38%for frequency of occurrence and copepods constituted 13% for numbers and 38% for frequency of occurrence. Virtually all food items were found in the different size groups analyzed, indicating P. leonensis as a versatile feeder, feeding on available food items. Keywords: Stomach contents, diets, Pellonula leonensis , Ogobiri River, Niger Delta

GROUPER FINGERLING/SEEDS AND NURSING GROUND IN THI NAI, CU MONG LAGOON AND QUY NHON BAY

The wild grouper fingerling have provided the important seed source for the development of commercial fish farming. Among the wild grouper fingerling collected in the Thi Nai lagoon, Quy Nhon bay (Binh Dinh) and Cu Mong lagoon (Phu Yen), 7 species of grouper have been identified as Banded grouper (Epinephelus amblycephalus), Yellow grouper (E. awoara), Longtooth grouper (E. bruneus), Malabar grouper (E. malabaricus), Sixbar grouper (E. sexfasciatus), Orange-spotted grouper (E. coioides) and grouper (Epinephelus sp.); in which three species of Longtooth grouper, Malabar grouper and Orange-spotted grouper were endangered in Red List Categories &amp; Criteria of IUCN as VU and NT. The Malabar grouper seed makes up a high proportion of over 30%. The total length of the juveniles is different between species, ranging from an average of 25.0 mm to 116.82 mm; Orange-spotted grouper is 112.48 mm in total length; four grouper species Banded grouper, Yellow grouper, Longtooth grouper and Malabar grouper are longer than 30 mm in total length with 31.96, 32.23, 33.78 and 33.86 mm respectively. The Sixbar grouper and grouper (Epinephelus sp.) are smaller than 30 mm. The catching of grouper fingerling is distributed in wide area, along the bank, mangroves in the lagoon, along the western shore of the Quy Nhon bay, from Ghenh Rang to the southern part of the coast and along the Cu Mong lagoon (from south to southwest). The production of grouper seed fluctuates irregularly, 3 - 4 million seeds per year for highest yields, alternating with very low yields. The protection of nursing grounds is necessary with the solution of selective catching and limiting artisanal fishing.

Artificial Spawning Behavior and Development of Eggs, Larvae and Juveniles of the Red Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus akaara in Korea.

This study was conducted in order to examine the egg development in red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaaraand the morphological development of its larvae and juveniles, and to obtain data for taxonomic research. This study was conducted in June 2013, and 50 male and female fish were used for the study. One hundred μg/kg of LHRHa was injected into the body of the fish for inducing spawning, and the fish were kept in a small-sized fish holder (2×2×2 m). Eggs were colorless transparent free pelagic eggs, 0.71–0.77 mm large (mean 0.74±0.02 mm, n=30), and had an oil globule. Hatching started within 27 h after fertilization. Pre-larvae that emerged just after hatching were 2.02–2.17 mm in total length (mean 2.10±0.11 mm), their mouth and anus were not opened yet, and the whole body was covered with a membrane fin. Post-larvae that emerged 15 days post hatching were 3.88–4.07 mm in total length (mean 3.98±0.13 mm), and had a ventral fin with two rays and a caudal fin with eight rays. Juveniles that were formed at 55 d post hatching, were 31.9–35.2 mm in total length (mean 33.6±2.33 mm), with red color deposited over the entire body, and black chromophores deposited in a spotted pattern. The number of fin rays, body color, and shape were the same as that in the adult fish.

INDUCCION DEL DESOVE, DESARROLLO EMBRIONARIO Y LARVAL DE Chaetodipterusfaber (BROUSSONET) (PISCES, EPHIPPIDAE) EN LA ISLA MARGARITA, VENEZUELA

The paguara Chaetodipterus faber (Broussonet, 1782) is a species of economic importance in the South Caribbean. Juveniles were collected near sandy beaches of Margarita Island (Venezuela) and maintained in pompano cage cultures until they reached maturation of their gonads. Adults were selected and spawning was induced by means of gonadotropin hormones. The eggs of Chaetodipterus faber are spherical, transparent and bouyant, with a diameter of 0.9 - 1.1 mm and a single globule oil of 0.25 - 0.35 mm diameter. Hatching of C. faber eggs took place within 26 h at temperatures of 24.5 - 28.5°C (31-32 h at 20-23.5°C) and salinities between 37.5 - 38.5°/oo. Newly hatched larvae vary in length from 1.9 to 2.1 mm and have a yolk sac of 1.1. - 1.3 mm in total length which is deploted after two or three days. The larval phase was completed 25 days after hatching. Juveniles 45 days old have 17.17 ± 1.75 mm in total length and weigh 0.21 + 0.07 g. Development of eggs and larvae are described.