ABSTRACT
Artificial breeding was induced in the pufferfish Arothron manilensis following ultrasonographic sex determination. Hormonal treatment of mature male and female specimens followed the collection (and measurement) of fully developed eggs by cannulation. Fertilized eggs (0.85 ± 0.02 mm diameter) were spherical, demersal and individually adhesive. Hatching occurred 5 days after fertilization, larvae being 2.23 ± 0.15 mm in total length and 2.08 ± 0.14 mm in notochord length. The larvae had all died within 14 days of hatching. To improve artificial breeding techniques for A. manilensis, it is necessary to determine more appropriate timing for hormone injection, as well as feeding nutrient-enhanced SS type Brachionus sp. to newly hatched larvae.
Subject(s)
Tetraodontiformes , Animals , Male , Female , Ultrasonography/veterinary , Sex Determination Analysis/veterinary , Sex Determination Analysis/methods , BreedingABSTRACT
To advance breeding techniques for the African freshwater pufferfish Tetraodon schoutedeni and observe tandem spawning closely, we monitored the reproduction of captive individuals. Eight spawning sessions (stable water temperature 24-25°C; daily light period 07:00-19:00) occurred between May 2016 and November 2017. After 65-150 min of tandem swimming (the male biting and clinging to the female's abdomen), 3-50 spherical, weakly adhesive eggs were spawned, being scattered onto the sandy substrate or water plants. The removal of cohabitants (potentially eating spawned eggs) and provision of small initial food items, such as small-type Brachionus spp., for larval fish were essential for successful breeding.