Abstract:
This study investigated the effect of temperature on hatchability and egg yolk
consumption of Climbing Perch Anabas testudineus larvae, obtained from artificial
insemnation and held at five different temperatures (23 °C, 25 °C, 31 °C, 33 °C and
ambient). Each treatment consisted of three replicates in which a total of2600 eggs were
placed inside each replicate. During embryonic period, eggs development was observed
at three hours interval. The hatching rate calculated showed significant difference
between temperatures and that higher temperature (31 °C and ambient) resulted in
higher hatchability (81.59 % and 82.12%) while lower temperature (23 °C) was likewise
(73.59 %). During yolk-sac phase, yolk consumption was observed at six hours interval.
Egg yolk volume was also observed and calculated until yolk reserves had been fully
consumed. Statistical analysis showed that initial mean yolk volume was not
significantly different, however, mean yolk volume from the sixth hour onwards
displayed significant difference until yolk exhaustion. At 33 °C, yolk reserves was the
quickest to be fully consumed at 120 hours while at 23 °C yolk reserves was the slowest
to be fully consumed at 168 hours. It is certain that high temperature resulted in higher
hatchability and yolk consumption rate while lower temperature demonstrated low
hatchability and yolk consumption rate
