Artificial propagation of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and the observation of embryonic development

Abstract:

Artificial propagation techniques of the grey mullet including brood stock culture and spawning induction were investigated. When the water temperature was 22-25℃, the response time and incubation period was 36 h and 52 h, respectively, after injecting HCG 1000 IU/kg and LRH-A₂ 10μg/kg into mature brood stock. The egg was pelagic and spherical, egg size and yolk diameter was (316.4±6.9) μm, and (190.8±5.4)μm. respectively. The process of embryonic development in grey mullet could be divided into seven stagesthe placenta formation stage, cleavage stage, blastula stage, gastrula stage, neural embryo stage, organ formation stage, and bitching stage. The present study indicates that response time and incubation period shortened with the rise of temperature in a certain temperature range. Hatching rate was 82%, when the temperature is 18-21℃.