Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and Salinity

The marine ornamental species trade relies heavily on wild-caught specimens, including the Vermiculated angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>). Captive breeding of this species faces challenges with limited detailed knowledge available beyond 2 days post-hatch (dph) regarding the...

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Main Authors: Yu-Hsuan Sun, Yu-Ru Lin, Hung-Yen Hsieh, Pei-Jie Meng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1657
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author Yu-Hsuan Sun
Yu-Ru Lin
Hung-Yen Hsieh
Pei-Jie Meng
author_facet Yu-Hsuan Sun
Yu-Ru Lin
Hung-Yen Hsieh
Pei-Jie Meng
author_sort Yu-Hsuan Sun
collection DOAJ
description The marine ornamental species trade relies heavily on wild-caught specimens, including the Vermiculated angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>). Captive breeding of this species faces challenges with limited detailed knowledge available beyond 2 days post-hatch (dph) regarding the influence of environmental factors. This study provides a detailed characterization of <i>C. mesoleucus</i> from early development to 381 dph. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the effect of temperature (22–37 °C) on hatching rate, deformity rate, hatching period duration, time to 50% hatch, and survival rate is investigated. Additionally, the influence of different salinities (0–38 psu) on hatching rates and larval deformity rates was also examined. The optimal incubation temperatures for high hatching rate and minimal larval deformities are found to be within 25–28 °C. A lower salinity threshold of 10 psu was established for successful hatching, and the optimal salinity range for minimizing larval deformities was 33–36 psu. These findings provide crucial baseline data and practical recommendations for optimizing hatchery protocols for <i>C. mesoleucus</i>, contributing to enhanced larval survival and the potential for sustainable aquaculture production, thereby reducing the pressure on wild populations.
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spelling doaj-art-4b7ea1e2046740a8972c14f560ffbc972025-08-20T02:23:04ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-06-011511165710.3390/ani15111657Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and SalinityYu-Hsuan Sun0Yu-Ru Lin1Hung-Yen Hsieh2Pei-Jie Meng3Graduate Institute of Marine Biology, College of Environment Studies and Oceanography, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974301, TaiwanDepartment of Aquaculture, College of Life Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202301, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Marine Biology, College of Environment Studies and Oceanography, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974301, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Marine Biology, College of Environment Studies and Oceanography, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974301, TaiwanThe marine ornamental species trade relies heavily on wild-caught specimens, including the Vermiculated angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>). Captive breeding of this species faces challenges with limited detailed knowledge available beyond 2 days post-hatch (dph) regarding the influence of environmental factors. This study provides a detailed characterization of <i>C. mesoleucus</i> from early development to 381 dph. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the effect of temperature (22–37 °C) on hatching rate, deformity rate, hatching period duration, time to 50% hatch, and survival rate is investigated. Additionally, the influence of different salinities (0–38 psu) on hatching rates and larval deformity rates was also examined. The optimal incubation temperatures for high hatching rate and minimal larval deformities are found to be within 25–28 °C. A lower salinity threshold of 10 psu was established for successful hatching, and the optimal salinity range for minimizing larval deformities was 33–36 psu. These findings provide crucial baseline data and practical recommendations for optimizing hatchery protocols for <i>C. mesoleucus</i>, contributing to enhanced larval survival and the potential for sustainable aquaculture production, thereby reducing the pressure on wild populations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1657<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i> (Bloch, 1787)larvicultureembryonic and larval culturejuveniletemperature and salinity
spellingShingle Yu-Hsuan Sun
Yu-Ru Lin
Hung-Yen Hsieh
Pei-Jie Meng
Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and Salinity
Animals
<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i> (Bloch, 1787)
larviculture
embryonic and larval culture
juvenile
temperature and salinity
title Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and Salinity
title_full Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and Salinity
title_fullStr Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and Salinity
title_full_unstemmed Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and Salinity
title_short Natural Spawning, Early Development, and First Successful Hatchery Production of the Vermiculated Angelfish (<i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i>), Exploring the Influence of Temperature and Salinity
title_sort natural spawning early development and first successful hatchery production of the vermiculated angelfish i chaetodontoplus mesoleucus i exploring the influence of temperature and salinity
topic <i>Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus</i> (Bloch, 1787)
larviculture
embryonic and larval culture
juvenile
temperature and salinity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1657
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