Interpretation of otolith microstructure in the early life history stages of two temperate reef wrasses (Labridae)

Notolabrus fucicola and N. tetricus larvae were reared in the laboratory at a constant temperature of 11°C; both species hatched after 4 days. Mortality was high throughout the post-hatching stage, with no N. tetricus surviving beyond 24 hours post-hatching. Notolabrus fucicola late yolk sac larvae showed no clear incremental structure in their sagittal otoliths up to 9 days post-hatch. The radius of the sagittae of these late yolk sac larvae corresponded with the radius of a non-incremental region around the primordium of sagittae taken from post-settlement juveniles of both species captured in the wild. Therefore, it is likely that the first increment is formed at or near yolk sac absorption in these species. Post-settlement juveniles of both species were exposed to oxytetracycline (OTC) and held in aquaria for up to 33 days. Post-OTC increment counts showed that increments were formed daily in the sagittae of both species.