Skeleton Development and Malformation of Hatchery-Reared Golden Pompano Trachinotus ovatus

Skeletal anomalies in farmed fish affect animal welfare and economic values in aquaculture, but little is known on skeletal ontogeny and anomalies in species of the Carangidae family. In this chapter, the skeleton development and malformation of golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus are discussed. Both caudal complex and vertebral column development in golden pompano started around 7–9 DPH, accompanied by the calcification of hemal arches, neural arches, and the occurrence of caudal elements. Uroneural is the last element of caudal complex which formed on 18 DPH. The fish showed at least one type of malformation over 33% under the artificial rearing condition. The severe jaw deformities in fish were clearly observed on 3 DPH. Subsequently, the total incidence of jaw deformity rate was 9.6–46.6%, including intermediate and severe jaw deformity. The rate of jaw deformity of fish was the highest on 11 DPH (46.6%). The intermediate jaw deformity rate reached the peak value (36.4%) on 26 DPH. This chapter provides basal information as a reference of the malformation and skeletal ontogeny of golden pompano. The results of this study can be used to control the production quality of golden pompano.