Embrionary development and larvae stages of mandi-amarelo Pimelodus maculatus

Abstract

The knowledge of early stages of fish embryonic development is very important for the study of native species with potential for rearing. The experiment was performed at São Carlos’ Fisheries Laboratory, São Carlos, SC, to follow embryonic development and initial larvae stages of Pimelodus maculatus. It was observed that, at the average temperature of 23.1 ± 0.5°C, the blastopore closed after 5 hours and 50 minutes. The hatching occurred 21 hours and 20 minutes after the fertilization. Newly hatched larvae had a total length average of 2.56 ± 0.13 mm. Both barbs pairs were noted within 33 hours and 10 minutes after hatching. After 41 hours and 10 minutes, the larvae showed horizontal swimming movements and open mouth. The existence of cannibalism was immediately noted.