The Early Development of the Blue-Eye Cichlid, Cryptoheros spilurus (Cichliformes: Cichlidae).

ABSTRACT: The early development of Cryptoheros spilurus, a substrate-breeding Middle American cichlid, was studied from hatching to 16 days post-hatching (dph), to document for the first time, the sequence of key ontogenetic changes. Eggs, deposited on rocky substrates, measured 1.65 ± 0.05 mm in diameter, with asynchronous hatching occurring at 52-54 h post-fertilization. Hatchlings (TL = 4.739 ± 0.27 mm) showed a large yolk sacs, finfold, straight notochord, and undeveloped eyes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed early differentiation of structures, including cement glands, olfactory pits, and optic primordia. Cement glands, previously reported in other cichlids, were documented here in their full developmental chronology, including their regression by 7 dph. Cranial development proceeded rapi

SUBMITTER: Contreras-Tapia RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12495903 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature