Embryogenesis and Early Larval Development in Rosy Barb (Pethia Conchonius, Hamilton 1822)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the larval ontogeny of rosy barb Pethia conchonius (Hamilton 1822). Embryonic and larval development stages were studied using the microscopy technique. Trials were carried out on 60 broodstock of rosy barb. Round and transparent fertilized eggs with a diameter of 867.6 ± 21.7 µm have started to hatch approximately 27 h after spawning at 26.3°C. The newly hatched larvae (n:30) have a mean total length of 4227 ± 265 µm and started exogenous feeding 4 days after hatching (DAH) and started taking particulate and powder feed at the end of 18 DAH. The early development growth formula of rosy barb has an exponential relationship model of y = 3.8346e0.0313x (R2 = 0.9112, n = 140). Digestive tract differentiation, hepatopancreas, digestive tubes, and gill arches formations were examined by taking histological sections in the early life stages of the rosy barb. Rosy barb is a species whose production protocol is not difficult due to its short egg hatching period and early larval stage zooplankton feeding period. © 2025, Western Philippines University.