Embryonic Development of Saddleback Anemonefish, Amphiprion polymnus, Linnaeus (1758)

Abstract

The breeding pairs of saddleback anemonefish, Amphiprion polymnus Linnaeus (1758) were brought from the Gulf of Thailand and reared in the laboratory to observe their spawning behavior, eggs and embryonic development. The spawning was found to be all-year-round with the reproductive cycle between 14-21 days. The eggs were single and adhesive type, capsule shape, and light orange in color, measuring 1.9-2 mm in length and 0.9-1 mm in width containing both large and small fat globules. The process of embryonic development could be divided into 26 stages based on morphological characteristics of the developing embryo. The time elapsed of each embryonic developmental stage was recorded. Hatching took place 148±8 hours after fertilization. This report is the first published record on the morphological development of saddleback anemonefish embryo.