Development of Eggs, Larvae and Juveniles of the Labrid Fish, Halichoeres poecilopterus, Reared in the Laboratory

Embryonic, larval and juvenile development of the labrid fish,Halichoeres poecilopterus, is described using a laboratory-reared series. The eggs, measuring 0.60–0.72 mm in diameter, were pelagic and spherical with a single oil globule (0.12–0.16 mm in diameter). Hatching occurred 18 h 48 min after spawning. The newly-hatched larvae, measuring 1.46–1.70 mm TL, had 8–114 + 16–18 myomeres. A conspicuous melanophore appeared on the dorsal finfold 8 h after hatching, at ca. 2 mm TL. The yolk was completely absorbed 3 days after hatching, at 2.52–2.72 mm TL. Flexion of the notochord started at ca. 6 mm TL and was finished at ca. 8 mm TL. Aggregate numbers of all fin rays were completed at ca. 14 mm TL. Squamation was almost completed at ca. 20 mm TL.