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Embryonic development of the world’s smallest puffer fish, Carinotetraodon travancoricus – a threatened freshwater fish of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2024

BL Chandana ,
Ashly Sanal ,
Rajeev Raghavan  and
Binu Varghese Open the ORCID record for Binu Varghese [Opens in a new window]
BL Chandana
Affiliation:
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries Science, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, India
Ashly Sanal
Affiliation:
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries Science, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, India
Rajeev Raghavan
Affiliation:
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries Science, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, India
Binu Varghese*
Affiliation:
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries Science, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, India
*
Corresponding author: Binu Varghese; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The Malabar dwarf puffer, Carinotetraodon travancoricus is the smallest known pufferfish (family Tetraodontidae) and one of the smallest freshwater fishes of the Indian subcontinent. Due to their miniature size, wacky behaviour and appearance, they are much preferred in the international aquarium fish trade, although little is known regarding their breeding activity in captivity and their embryonic development. The purpose of this study was to fill these knowledge gaps. Wild-caught Malabar dwarf puffers were acclimatised to conditions, and pairs were introduced to breeding tanks. Adult fishes were fed with live and frozen diets including Artemia nauplii, moina and bloodworm. During spawning seasons, adult fish displayed elaborate courtship behaviour around sunset. Carinotetraodon travancoricus is a batch spawner releasing 1 to 5 eggs per diem. The eggs were spherical, and non-sticky, with a diameter of 1.48 ± 0.1 mm, and hatching took place after 108 to 116 h post-incubation. The newly hatched larvae were 3.5 ± 0.2 mm in length, and weighed 2.9 ± 0.4 mg. The early larvae have substantial yolk and oil globules as an energy reserve. Histological studies on mature females suggested the batch spawning nature of the species and low fecundity. Given its unique reproductive behaviour and characters, in situ protected habitats are required to ensure their continued survival in the wild, apart from encouraging captive breeding to augment the demand in the international aquarium fish trade.

Keywords

Endemic fishex situ conservationfish biology reproductive biologyIndia
Type
Research Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , August 2024 , pp. 320 - 327
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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