Reproductive Behaviour and Early Development of the Empire Fish Hypseleotris compressus (Eleotridae)

Abstract

H. compressus is a small Australian freshwater eleotrid which is sexually dimorphic. The colourful male is involved in aggressive and courtship displays throughout a protracted breeding season and also guards the eggs during their short development. The female is capable of spawning repeatedly throughout the breeding season and it is estimated that she may produce at least 40000 eggs per season.

The eggs are very small, being approximately 0.32 mm on the longest axis, and are transparent and adhesive. Hatching usually occurs between 10 and 14 h after fertilization. The newly hatched prolarvae are poorly developed, without rayed fins or an alimentary tract. Their development was observed for 10 days by which time the yolk had been lost but no larvae survived beyond this point.