Embryonic and early larval development of Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus

The Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus, is an ideal species
for commercial aquaculture because of its rapid growth,
tolerance to a range of environmental parameters, and high
demand in the seafood market. This study detailed embryonic
and early larval development of this species. Florida
pompano followed similar developmental sequences to
those observed in other marine teleosts, and embryos
hatched between 22 and 28 h post-fertilization. Significant
brain lobe differentiation occurred prior to hatching. Pectoral
fins were functional within 1-day post-hatch (dph). Substantial
eye development occurred within 3 dph, indicating
visual acuity prior to the onset of exogenous live feeding.
Intestinal segments were differentiated by 3 dph, and rotifers
were seen in the digestive tract by 4 dph. Digestive
functions were limited through the first 7 dph because of
the absence of functional gastric glands and gastric mucous
cells in the rudimentary stomach, lipid vacuoles in the anterior
intestines, and the persistence of acidophilic supranuclear
vesicles in the posterior intestines. Within 7 dph,
the pharyngeal arches differentiated, and hematopoietic tissue and mesonephric tubules were visible in the larval
kidney. Their rapid larval development and organogenesis
are additional factors that make Florida pompano an ideal
species for aquaculture production and should encourage
continued efforts toward commercialization