Observation of embryonic and larval development of blood parrot cichlid fish Cichlasoma synspilumC.citrinellum

We observedthe embryonic and larval development of hybrids between Cichlasoma synspilum (♀) and C.citrinellum (♂) . The average fertilization rate and hatching rate were (91.333.06）% and（91.672.08）%, respectively. The oval-shaped and adhesive fertile egg had threecolors such as light yellow，white-gray and red brown without oil globule. The average length of fertile egg was (1.890.04) mm. The progress of embryonic development comprisedsix stages: zygote stage, cleavage stage, gastrula stage, neurula stage, organogenesis stage and hatching stage, eachdivided into 28 periods. At water temperature of (300.5)℃, the hatching time was 52 h 36 min. The total length of newly hatched larvae was (3.710.05) mm with yolk sac length of (1.740.09) mm in long diameter and (1.250.07) mm in short diameter. The larva started to ingest rotifers after 3 d, and the yolk sac was consumed completely 5 d later. On 13th day, the total length of the larvae was (11.861.02) mm, and most of fin rays appeared, indicatingthatthe larvae turned into juveniles.