A preliminary report on the development, growth and survival of laboratory reared larvae of the grey mullet, Mugil cephalus L.

Larvae from artificially bred grey mullet were reared in the laboratory and survival rates of 0.2 %, 5 % and 5 % achieved in three of six trials. Food consisted of wild zooplankton and Anemia nauplii. Feeding began on the fifth day, when the yolk sac was depleted, and intensified on the ninth day. The rate of yolk absorption and feeding intensity were reflected in the growth curve. Larval survival was not affected by withholding food from the larvae till the seventh day from hatching. Two critical periods associated with high larval mortality were apparent on the 2nd–3rd and 8th–11th days after hatching. These were preceded by an increase in specific gravity of larvae followed by passive sinking to the bottom of the rearing tank. Larval length increased from 2.63 mm at hatching to 17.69 mm at the end of the 42-day larval period. The larvae survived on benthic diatoms therefter. Maximum survival rates were achieved at 22°C. (Oceanic Institute Contribution No. 101).