• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2018

This study is to observe species identification and early life history of Korean endemic species of Tanakia latimarginata and to use it as a basis for taxonomic studies. As a result of morphological identification, a dark band appeared at the margin of the anal fin, and the ovipositor color of the female was light orange. The shape of the egg was fusiform and sticky. The egg size (long${\times}$short diameter) averaged $4.41{\times}1.44mm$. The incubation time was 126 hours after the fertilization at an average water temperature of $21.0^{\circ}C$. Immediately after hatching, the larvae had egg yolk at an average total length of $5.91{\pm}0.18mm$ (n=5). At 18 days after hatching, the trunk fur was developed in the caudal fin with an average total length of $8.02{\pm}0.08mm$ (n=5). At 41 days after hatching, the larvae absorbed egg yolk at an average total length of $8.70{\pm}0.23mm$ (n=5). At 80 days after hatching, the average length of the fins was $12.6{\pm}0.28mm$ (n=5). The number of fin of the dorsal fin was iii.8, the anal fin iii.9~10, the caudal fin 19, lateral line scales 32~35 were similar to their brood stork.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.229-246
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• 2023

The bitterling (Cyprinidae, Acheilongnathinae) is a temperate freshwater fish with a unique spawning symbiosis with host mussels. Female bitterlings use their extended ovipositors to lay eggs on the gills of mussels through the mussel's exhalant siphon. In the present study, in April of 2020, we investigated spawning frequencies and patterns of three bitterling fish species in host mussel species in the Nakdong River basin (Hoecheon). During field surveys, a total of four bitterling and three mussel species were found. We observed bitterling's spawning eggs/larvae in the three mussel species: Anodonta arcaeformis(proportion spawned: 45.5%), Corbicula fluminea(12.1%), and Nodularia douglasiae (45.2%). The number of bitterlings' eggs/larvae per mussel ranged from 1 to 58. Using our developed genetic markers, we identified the eggs/larvae of each bitterling species in each mussel species (except for A. macropterus): A. arcaeformis (spawned by Acheilognathus yamatsutae), C. fluminea (A. yamatsutae and Tanakia latimarginata), and N. douglasiae (A. yamatsutae, Rhodeus uyekii, and T. latimarginata). Approximately 57.6% of N. douglasiae mussel individuals had eggs/larvae of more than one bitterling species, suggesting that interspecific competition for occupying spawning grounds is intense. This is the first report on bitterling's spawning events in the Asian clam C. fluminea from Korea; however, it should be ascertained whether bitterling's embryo undergoes successful development inside the small mussel and leaves as a free-swimming juvenile. In addition, the importance of its conservation as a new host mussel species for bitterling fishes needs to be studied further.