Abstract: Ten individuals were daily sampled from 1 day post hatch (DPH) to 60 dph of hatchery-reared greenling Hexagrammosotakii (n=600) and stained for cartilage by cartilage staining solution containing 20 mg Alixin blue 8GX+70 mL Absolute ethanol+30 mL acetic acid and by bone staining solution containing 0.05% KOH+enough alizarin red for bone to investigate the incidence of deformities occurred in the skeletal system of the greenling. The observation and analysis showed that there were 20 types of skeletal deformities in skeletal development of the greenling, including kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis, curved ceratobranchial, and curved Meckel’s cartilage. About 19.50% of individuals showed at least one type of anomaly, most anomalies in the vertebral column and head, without in the pelvic fins and pectoral fin. The skeletal malformations were primarily observed in 6-10 dph prelarvae (50% of specimens) and 16-20 dph postlarvae and juveniles (64% of specimens). The most abnormalities were found in vertebral column in 6-10 dph prelarvae, and in head and fins in 16-20 dph postlarvae and juveniles. The findings indicated that skeletal deformity was involved in high mortality during greenling larva and juvenile rearing, which will be useful for early detection of malformations and improvement of culture conditions.
2020, Vol. 35 
