Abstract

GRACIA-LOPEZ, Vicente; RODRIGUEZ-ROMERO, Jesús  and  PEREZ-RAMIREZ, José M.. Hormone induced spawning (HCG), and embryonic and larval development of the leopard grouper, Mycteroperca rosacea (Streets, 1877). Cienc. mar [online]. 2004, vol.30, n.2, pp.279-284. ISSN 0185-3880.

Induced spawning of two wild females of the leopard grouper, Mycteroperca rosacea, was obtained using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) supplied in two dosages: a first injection of 1000 IU/kg and a second of 500 IU/kg, 24 h apart. Of the four treated females, two had a positive spawning response, releasing approximately 40,000 eggs/fish. These were fertilized with mature male sperm. The fertilization rate obtained for each female was 10% and 0%. Complete embryonic development, and the morphology of eggs and larvae are described until the first feeding. Eggs were spherical, buoyant and transparent, with a diameter of 872.8 ± 15.4 µm (ranging from 850.4 to 912.5µm) and an oil droplet diameter of 177.3 ± 7.0µm.

Keywords : reproduction; grouper; leopard grouper; Mycteroperca rosacea.