Observation of embryonic and larval development of blood parrot cichlid fish Cichlasoma synspilum×C.citrinellum

We observed the embryonic and larval development of hybrids between Cichlasoma synspilum (♀) and C.citrinellum (♂).The average fertilization rate and hatching rate were (91.33±3.06)% and(91.67±2.08)%, respectively. The oval-shaped and adhesive fertile egg had three colors such as light yellow, white-gray and red brown without oil globule. The average length of fertile egg was (1.89±0.04) mm. The progress of embryonic development comprised six stages: zygote stage, cleavage stage, gastrula stage, neurula stage, organogenesis stage and hatching stage, each divided into 28 periods. At water temperature of (30±0.5)℃, the hatching time was 52 h 36 min. The total length of newly hatched larvae was (3.71±0.05) mm with yolk sac length of (1.74±0.09) mm in long diameter and (1.25±0.07) mm in short diameter. The larva started to ingest rotifers after 3 d, and the yolk sac was consumed completely 5 d later. On 13^th day, the total length of the larvae was (11.86±1.02) mm and most of fin rays appeared, indicating that the larvae turned into juveniles.