Breeding and rearing of the two striped cardinalfish, Apogon quadrifasciatus (Cuvier, 1828) in captive condition

The present study describes captive breeding, reproductive behavior and larval/juvenile rearing of Apogon quadrifasciatus. Spawning occurred 25 days after stocking in the breeding tank. Clutch size varied from 2500 to 3100. The males incubated the eggs, the incubation period was approximately five days at a mean temperature of 29 °C. The average total length of the newly hatched larvae was 2.6 mm with an average mouth gape of 160 μm. periments were conducted to determine the most suitable food items for the larvae. In the first (planktonic phase, day 1–13) larvae fed with copepod nauplli showed the highest survival (33%). In the second experiment (settlement phase, 14–26 days, copepod, Artemia sp. and Cyclop-Eeze), also showed that copepods were the preferred feed by the post hatching larvae. After 26 days, post hatching larvae were fed a diet that followed a protocol designed in accordance to the mouth size. Culture was maintained up to six months, and juveniles attained a maximum total length of 46.3 mm and a weight of about 3500 mg. Captive breeding and rearing of A. quadrifasciatus can help in restoring the wild populations impacted by local trawling activities as well as to supply this species to the ornamental fish trade, in a sustainable way.