Larval development and growth of Red Saddleback Anemonefish, Amphiprion ephippium,(Bloch, 1790) under captive conditions

Abstract

On the 1stday of hatching, the body of the larva was transparent and all the fins were fused together to form a single fin fold. Hatchlings measured 4.96mm in total length. On the 10thday, all the fins were visible and body colouration had begun to develop, the larvae then measured 7.08 mm in total length. The banding began to appear from the 10th day and on the 15thday, the head and middle band were clearly visible. From the 25th day onwards, the larva measured 9.66 mm in total length. On the 30th day, adult pigmentation had begun to appear in the larva. After the 45thday, the bands started to disappear. By the 160thday, the middle band had completely disappeared. On the 310th day all the bands had disappeared and now the juvenile has transformed into an adult fish.