Egg Production and Fertilization:
- Adult female milkfish release their eggs into the water, and males release their sperm. Fertilization occurs externally when the sperm comes into contact with the eggs in the water.
Embryonic Development:
- The fertilized eggs are spherical in shape and contain a yolk sac that provides nourishment for the developing embryo.
- The embryo undergoes a series of cell divisions and differentiation, forming various tissues and organs.
- The structures, including the heart, eyes, and fins, start to develop during this stage.
Hatching:
- After approximately 24 to 48 hours, depending on water temperature and other environmental conditions, the embryos hatch into free-swimming larvae known as prolarvae.
- These prolarvae are planktonic and feed on microscopic organisms in the water.
It's important to note that milkfish embryos develop entirely outside the body of the female fish. The parents do not provide any direct parental care, and the larvae are independent from the moment they hatch. The survival and development of milkfish embryos depend on various factors, such as water quality, temperature, and food availability in their marine environment.