The study of Allometric growth patterns and morphological development of the Green terror (Aequiden srivulatus: Cichlidae) during early development

Early development and Allometric growth pattern is a common feature during early development of fish larvae. This research was conducted to investigate the allometric growth patterns and morphological development of the Green Terror (Aequiden srivulatus)¡ a valuable aquarium species¡ during early development up to 1266 hours post hatching (Hph). Hence¡ its morphological changes during its ontogeny were described. Morphometric data parameters were obtained from 2D pictures of specimens using the software ImageJ and allometric growth pattern was calculated as a power function of total length using non-transformed data: Y=axb. Results revealed that during early development after hatching¡ the allometric growth pattern of head¡ snout¡ eye diameter and tail regions were positive and they changed into isomertic pattern about 156-570 Hph¡ reflecting the dominance of life functions including swimming¡ respiration and sensory systems during this period. Results also showed that at these turning points the growth of most morphological features of body have been occurred along with exogenous feeding. Based on the finding of this study¡ early development of this species can be divided into four stages of Eleuthero-embryo (up to 120 Hph along with yolk sac absorption)¡ Propterygio-larval (156 Hph)¡ Pterygio-larval (570 Hph) and Juvenile.