Seed production and growth of Neopomacentrus cyanomos (Bleeker, 1856) in captivity

Development of the regal demoiselle Neopomacentrus cyanomos (Bleeker, 1856) from egg to maturation and spawning stage is described using hatchery reared specimens. Larval rearing of N. cyanomos was carried out using zooplankton as the starting feed up to the 10th day post-hatch (dph). Larval and post-larval growth was studied for a period of 340 dph. Caudal fin rays began to develop from 8th dph and the larval body depth increased considerably from 9th dph onwards. Towards the 10th dph, at about 5.7 mm total length (TL) half of the specimens underwent notochord flexion. Larvae exhibited decreased transparency with increased pigmentation of the pre-anal body, characterised by presence of stellate melanophores. Towards 15th dph, the pectoral, pelvic, dorsal, anal and caudal fins were visible with fin rays. The soft dorsal fin started showing pigmentation from 20th dph onwards and the spinous dorsal from 30th dph onwards. Towards 30th day, black pigments were found distributed all over the body. Pigmentation steadily increased from 30th day onwards and the juveniles fully attained the adult pattern of body colouration by about 90-100 days. First spawning occurred on the 340th dph at a size of 64-73 mm TL.