• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 1999

This study was conducted to observe the spawning behavior and early life history of chinese minnow, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus reared in the laboratory. The spawning period of Rhynchocypris oxycephalus is from May to June in nature. The eggs of Rhynchocypris oxycephalus were spawned on the sand and surface of the gravel. The fertilization eggs were demersal in shape and adhesive, released as a clump forming a thin layer and their diameter were 1.70~1.90mm (mean 1.80 mm, n=20). Hatching of eggs was started in 88 hour 45 minute after fertilization at water temperature $19{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$ and finished in 90 hour. Newly-hatched larvae were measured 4.87~5.02 mm in total length (TL, mean 4.94 mm), mouth and anus were not opened. 6 days old larvae were 6.32~6.56 mm in TL (mean 6.44 mm). Yolk sac was almost absorbed, mouth and anus was began to open. 13 days old larvae were 6.74~6.91 mm in TL (mean 6.82 mm). Part of Dorsal fin was began to rising and myomere number was 15+23=38. 25 days after hatching, total length of larvae was 8.45~8.60 mm (mean 8.52 mm). Dorsal and anal fin rays became differentiated, and also caudal part of the notocord flexion was achieved at $45^{\circ}C$. In the time, growth rate was higher than the other stage. Aggregate numbers of all fin rays were completed at 16.39~16.57 mm in TL (60 days after hatching), at which time the larvae reached the juvenile stage, but fin-fold on ventral was remained yet. External features of adult specimens were almost completed at 80 day old juveniles (18.69~18.87 mm in TL).