Sakai Harumi

An unusual instance of biting behavior by the pufferfish Arothron meleagris, possibly related to spawning behavior was observed during low tide of new moon spring tide while scuba-diving off the Maldives Islands. Multiple males were following, biting and clinging persistently to a female. Subsequent internet searches revealed that similar biting behavior was common among several congeners, possibly being a characteristic spawning-related behavior of the genus.

To improve breeding techniques for aquarium freshwater pufferfishes, hormone injection (hCG, 10 IU per g)-induced maturity and insemination of Auriglobus modestus from Thailand were undertaken, and morphological development of eggs and early stage larvae observed. Artificial insemination was performed two to five days after hormone injection. Although no fertilized eggs resulted from artificial insemination utilizing a wet (freshwater) method, an isotonic (sodium lactate ringer solution) method produced 458 fertilized eggs out of 787 eggs (fertilization rate 61.7%) spawned by one female, although only 8 larvae (1.7%) eventually hatched. Eggs were oval [long axis 2.05 ± 0.06 mm, short axis 1.68 ± 0.06 mm (n = 5)], translucent, demersal, and adhesive, and contained a number of small yellow oil globules. Oval eggs are unusual among pufferfishes, although common in the genus Chonerinos, an indication of the genetic closeness of the latter and Auriglobus, but also suggesting ecological similarity. The eggs hatched after 2 days, larvae one day after hatching [4.54 ± 0.34 mm NL (n = 9)] having a large yolk sac. However, the mouth remained unopened, the optic vesicle uncolored, and the pectoral fin membrane undeveloped, except for small knob-like rudiments. Seven days after hatching, larvae [5.22 ± 0.10 mm NL (n = 3)] had lost the yolk sac and acquired rudimentary soft rays in the pectoral, dorsal and anal fins. All larvae died after eight days. DNA barcoding comparisons (COI gene, 652 bp) of several pufferfish genera indicated a close genetic relationship of Auriglobus and Chonerhinos, being nested in the same clade.