Embryonic Development and Larval Growth and Development of Tilapia buttikoferi (Hubrecht, 1881) (Actinopterygii: Cichlidae)

The morphology of mature eggs, fertilised eggs and spermatozoa of Tilapia buttikoferi was studied by scanning electron microscopy in order to understand their reproductive and growth characteristics. The embryonic development, growth and development of larvae and fry were observed, photographed and measured, and the growth characteristics of T. buttikoferi under artificial culture conditions were studied. The results showed that the mature eggs of the T. buttikoferi were non-adhesive sinking eggs. After fertilisation, there were dense micropores on the surface of the egg membrane and adhesive filaments of different length inside the egg. The sperm consisted of three pieces: the head, the mid-piece and the tail, without an acrosomal cone. The fertilised eggs of T.buttikoferi were hatched into larvae at 49 h 30 min under 26 +/- 1 degrees C of water temperature. The development of larvae was completed at 16d. The fish reached a total length of 13.59 +/- 2.19 mm with scales covering entire body. This study obtained the early life history of T. buttikoferi, which could facilitate the breeding of the T. buttikoferi.