Egg and larval development of laboratory-reared sergeant major, Abudefduf saxatilis (Pisces, Pomacentridae)

Development of sergeant major, Abudefduf saxatilis, from late egg to early juvenile is described from captive-spawned and wild eggs and 71 laboratory-reared specimens. General morphological features include lateral compression, deep head, deep abdomen, and increasing preanal length through transformation. Notochord flexion had started in a 10-d old, 5.3 mm TL larva. Flexion was complete by 9.2 mm TL (17 d) and transformation at about 18.7 mm TL (28 d). Pelvic spines and rays developed during early preflexion (4.2 mm TL). The caudal fin began development at 4.4 mm TL. During preflexion (5.0 mm TL), dorsal rays and spines were present, and the anal fin began forming. Anal rays and spines were completed during flexion (9.2 mm TL).