Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2025, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (2): 92-99.doi: 10.11978/2024088CSTR: 32234.14.2024088

• Marine Biology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Reproductive habit and embryonic development of the Harlequin Shrimp, Hymenocera picta (Decapoda: Hymenoceridae)

ZHANG Shuyi1,2(), LIU Gaige1,2, CHEN Jinmin1,2, CHEN Nan1,2(), WANG Shuhong1,2,3()   

  1. 1. Fisheries College of Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
    2. Ornamental Aquarium Engineering Research Centre in University of Fujian Province, Xiamen 361021, China
    3. Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Xiamen 361021, China
  • Received:2024-04-16 Revised:2024-05-31 Online:2025-03-10 Published:2025-04-11
  • Contact: CHEN Nan, WANG Shuhong
  • Supported by:
    Guided Project of Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology(2022N0014); Regional Demonstration Project of the 13th Five-Year Plan of Marine Economy Innovation & Development in Xiamen(16PZY002SF18); Research start-up funds of Jimei University(ZQ2021023)

Abstract:

Hymenocera picta is popular in the aquarium market due to its attractive coloured pattern of the body and special feeding behavior on starfish. For this reason, observations and records have been made on the reproductive habits, reproductive cycle and embryonic development of harlequin shrimp. The results showed that the mating behavior of the broodstock was dominated by males in four main stages of contact, climb and straddle, spermatophore transfer and separation. Egg spawning occurred 2 hours after mating. Under the temperature of (27 ± 0.5) ℃, embryos developed in 14 to 15 days, going through 8 stages of fertilized egg, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, pre-nauplius, post-nauplius, membrane-zoea and pre-hatching until larvae hatched. Females molted within 12 to 24 hours after larvae hatching and began mating again within 2 hours, and then entered the next breeding cycle. Our results provide not only a better understanding of the reproductive biology in Hymenocera picta, but also a useful reference for its artificial breeding practices.

Key words: Hymenocera picta, reproductive habits, embryonic development

CLC Number: 

  • P735.2