Spawning behaviour and embryonic development in the sebae anemonefish Amphiprion sebae (Bleeker, 1853)

Abstract

The present paper describes the spawning behaviour and embryonic development of Amphiprion sebae (Bleeker, 1853) under captive conditions. Ten functional breeding pairs of A. sebae ranging in total length from 90 to 100 mm (female) and 60 to 80 mm (male) collected from the inshore waters of Gulf of Mannar, along with sea anemones, Stichodactyla haddoni were acclimatised to captive conditions in 500 l glass tanks fitted with biofilter. Fishes spawned within 45 to 60 days of rearing. Sexual dichromatism was visible in spawning pairs during the breeding season. The number of eggs in each clutch varied between 300 to 1500 and the interval between successive spawning ranged between 15 - 26 days. The eggs were adhesive, capsule shaped and bright orange in colour measuring 2.10±0.031 mm in length and 1.02±0.037 mm in width. The eggs were bright orange for initial two days, turned black on 3rd to 5th day and silvery on 6th to 7th day of incubation. The embryonic development was divided into two phases based on the morphological characteristics. The overall understanding of spawning behaviour and embryonic development of A. sebae could help to improve the commercial production and culture of other coral reef fishes as well.