THE DEVELOPMENT AND SEQUENTIAL OSSIFICATION IN THE MARINE CATFISH, TACHYSURUS THALASSINUS (RUPPELL)

The development of Tachysurus thalassinus is described based on experimental rearing of embryos, from early embryonic stage to complete absorption of yolk sac. The time taken for development from egg to complete absorption of yolk is thirty five days. The progressive ossification of embryonic/larval skeleton is studied with the help of alizarin- red 5 stained, embryonic skeleton at various stages of development. The prominent characters of the species are laid down early in the larval stages and maintained throughout the life