Morphological Development of Larvae and Juveniles of Acanthopagrus schlegeli

Newly hatched black porgy larvae (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) swam to the surface, with the mouth and anus still closed and were 1.90-2.11 mm (mean, 2.0 mm) in total length (TL). The larvae were 2.71-2.94 mm TL (mean, 2.82 mm) on day 2 after hatching. At this time, about two-thirds of the yolk was absorbed, the bladder and intestines had formed, and the mouth and anus were open. Total length was 4.32-4.66 mm (mean, 4.45 mm) at the post-larval stage on days 5-6 after hatching, and the yolk and oil globule were almost absorbed. The end of the notochord began to flex, and 6-8 caudal fin rays were visible. The larvae were 15.37-16.1 mm TL (mean, 15.83 mm) at the juvenile stage on days 30-32 after hatching, and the number of rays in all fins was completely revealed.