Larval development of the back keeled mullet Liza carinata

The sex ratio of the fish used in this study, was 1:1.5 females to males. N atural spawning of the keelback mullet, Liza carinata, in captivity was pos sible and occurred between December and February. The mean fertilized egg d iameter of L. carinata was 0.8+/-.051 mm. Hatching took place after 36 h at 23 degrees C. The mean total length of the just-hatched larvae was 2.0+/-0 .179 mm. Larval developmental stages, growth, and morphological changes of L. carinata were described on the basis of a series of specimens (391 in to tal) reared from days 1 to 89 after hatching. Details of the larval develop mental stages were drawn and photographed, with special reference being tak en of morphological transformations. Larvae completed yolk absorption on th e sixth day after hatching, and opened their mouths on day 4. Notochord fle xion started on the sixteenth day at 5.0 mm total length. Transformation fr om larval to juvenile stage occurred between days 30 and 51 after hatching. The maximum size of larvae and the minimum size of juveniles which appeare d during the transitional period were 19 and 9.9 mm TL, respectively. By da y 51, all the larvae had changed into juveniles with a mean TL of 29.3+/-6. 429 mm. The juveniles started to change into young adults with three anal s pines by day 88 at a TL of 62 mm.