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Larvae Information Summary for
Oreochromis niloticus
| Main Ref: | Trewavas, E. 1983 | |||
Yolk-sac larvae
| max | min | mod | Ref. | |
| Length at birth (mm) | 8 | 6 | ||
| Preanal L. % TL |
| Place of development | in mouth (mouthbrooders) | |||
| Larval area | Northwestern Pacific (Japan) | |||
| Yolk-sac | spherical pigmented | Ref: | ||
| Yolk | Oil globules | |||
| Melanophores on head + trunk | melanophores on head | |||
| The caudal network of blood vessels which is the main respiratory organ is less developed and of shorter duration. The larva has a large yolk mass and their mouth is covered over with a thin membrane. Pigmentation of the hatchling is restricted to the head and the eyes are fully pigmented. The yolk sac was fully absorbed at stage 20. | ||||
Post larvae
| Striking feature | none | |||
| Striking shape lateral | normal (not striking) | dorsal | normal (not striking) | |
| Striking feature | none | |||
| Shape of gut | elongated | |||
| Gas bladder early | invisible | late | visible | |
| Spinal armature early | no spines | late | no spines | |
| Melanophores on head + trunk | melanophores on head | |||
| Melanophores on head + trunk | melanophores on head + trunk | |||
| Pectorals | normal without melanophores | |||
| Pelvics | normal (i.e. small or absent) | |||
| At stage 16, the retinal pigment was already developed. Pectoral fin-buds appeared at a stage when the head was about 1 mm long. The mouth opened at stage 24 (head 2 mm). | ||||
Meristic characters
| max | min | mod | Ref. | |
| Total number of myomeres |
| L 1st feeding | Ref. |
Months of presence of larvae
|
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| max | 13.5 | 2 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
| min | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | ||
| mod | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||
| Water parameters Metric characters |
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