Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
2014, Vol 14, Num, 4 (Pages: 863-874)
Larval Development of The Freshwater Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare (Teleostei: Cichlidae)
2 Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Çanakkale, Turkey DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v14_4_03 Viewed : 5581 - Downloaded : 9710 In this study, the larval development of freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare, was described under controlled aquarium conditions. Major histomorphological changes and the allometric growth patterns during the larval development have been described. The larvae were obtained from three pairs of freshwater angelfish, which were maintained in glass tanks. The larvae were sampled for measurement and photography. They were observed under a stereomicroscope, photographed using a photomicrographic system. The larval development of angelfish were described from 1 days after hatching (DAH) to 24 DAH. Embryonic developmental stage was completed at day 3 after spawning at 24±1ºC. The newly hatched larvae had 4.24±0.28 mm total length (TL). The mouth opened at 3 DAH. The larvae started to swim actively within the next 3-4 days. Notochord flexion began at 3-4 DAH. The yolk sac has been totally absorbed at 6 DAH. The metamorphosis was completed and the larvae transformed into juveniles at 23-24 DAH. Keywords : Ornamental fish, aquarium, larval development, allometric growth