Water temperature influences larval survival of the amphidromous goby Sicyopterus lagocephalus

Abstract

Water warming induced by human activities can impact fish larvae survival, notably because it influences larval development and prey abundances. Amphidromous gobies of the subfamily Sicydiinae are particularly sensitive to this threat as the newly hatched free embryos are poorly developed and the first feeding opportunity only occurs after they reach the ocean. Here, we studied how water temperature (21, 23, 25, 29 and 31°C) impacts early development stages of Sicyopterus lagocephalus in both freshwater and marine aquaria (salinity 35). We monitored survival time, larval condition and the occurrence of critical developmental events such as mouth opening, yolk sac and oil globule resorption. In freshwater, the survival exceeded 150 hours at 21°C, while it dropped below 50 hours at 31°C. In seawater, the larval development of unfed larvae was significantly affected by temperature, survival time being greatly reduced in warmer waters. Accounting for the observed duration between mouth opening and the resorption of the oil globule, we estimated that larvae need to find suitable prey in seawater within a short time: around 30 hours during the peak of reproduction in summer. Otherwise, their endogenous reserves become depleted and their condition degrades. This study emphasises the sensitivity of free embryos to stream flow alterations, which contributes to the increase in water temperature and to the slowing down of larvae drift to the ocean. We conclude that once in seawater the temperature and feeding conditions experienced by amphidromous larvae are critical for survival.

First and recurrent records of Stiphodon surrufus Watson & Kottelat, 1995 (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae, Sicydiinae), a naturally rare amphidromous goby, in Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…Some sicydiine goby species are considered highly vulnerable to extirpation or even extinction (Keith 2003;Walter et al 2012;Ebner et al 2016). Their amphidromous nature can render them vulnerable to environmental changes (Yamasaki and Tachihara 2006;Keith et al 2009), especially during the riverine, estuarine, and marine larval and post-larval stages (Keith and Lord 2012;Teichert et al 2021). IUCN Red List assessments are available for 30 Stiphodon species: seven species (23.3%) are classified in one of the at-risk categories, 12 (40%) are Least Concern, and 11 (37%) are Data Deficient.…”

Distribution, abundance, and species composition of fish larvae and juveniles of Gobiidae in the Cimaja estuary, Palabuhanratu, Indonesia

“…The temperature in the former matrix tends to contradict the recruitment process in most species of amphidromous goby. The high temperature tends to be avoided by the goby to carry out the recruitment process to the estuary area because high temperatures increase the metabolic rate and trigger the rate of hunger [52]. The oxygen, in this case, is not a specific limiting factor because the oxygenation process is well in the Cimaja estuary waters (dissolved oxygen = 5.3-6.7 mg/l), providing sufficient oxygen for the goby recruitment process.…”

Aquaculture as a tool to support goby‐fry fishery? Current knowledge on biology and ecology of the red‐tailed goby Sicyopterus lagocephalus

“…The transfer does not necessarily need to be progressive with a gradual increase in salinity (Valade et al, 2009) and can be carried out as early as 24 h after hatching (Bell and Brown, 1995;Delacroix, 1987). In a recent study, Teichert et al (2021) highlighted that the survival of red-tailed goby larvae in freshwater exceeded 150 h at 21 • C, whereas it dropped below 50 h at 31 • C. In seawater, the larval development of unfed larvae was affected by temperature with gradual decrease in survival with increasing temperatures. The mouth and anus opened after 30-50 h in seawater depending on the water temperature (Delacroix, 1987;Ellien et al, 2020;Teichert et al, 2021;Valade et al, 2009) suggesting that larvae need to find suitable prey in seawater within a short time.…”

“…In a recent study, Teichert et al (2021) highlighted that the survival of red-tailed goby larvae in freshwater exceeded 150 h at 21 • C, whereas it dropped below 50 h at 31 • C. In seawater, the larval development of unfed larvae was affected by temperature with gradual decrease in survival with increasing temperatures. The mouth and anus opened after 30-50 h in seawater depending on the water temperature (Delacroix, 1987;Ellien et al, 2020;Teichert et al, 2021;Valade et al, 2009) suggesting that larvae need to find suitable prey in seawater within a short time. Field studies highlighted that larvae and post-larvae of Sicydiinae are secondary consumers and omnivorous during their pelagic phase and mainly feed on zooplankton and plant/macroalgae detritus (Baptista et al, 2020;Keith et al, 2008).…”