Early ontogeny of <i>Galeichthys feliceps</i> from the south east coast of South Africa

Abstract

The early development of Galeichthys feliceps (Valenciennes, 1840) was investigated using a combination of incubator‐reared embryos and embryos removed from the buccal cavities of wild‐caught parents. The eggs were 15·7 mm in diameter and the average brood size was 49. Hatching occurred at an advanced developmental state after approximately 75–80 days, when branchial and fin differentiation were complete. Exogenous feeding began within the adult buccal cavity shortly after hatching. The young were released as juveniles after approximately 140 days, at a total length of 54 mm.