Embryonic Development and Hatchability in the Reciprocal Hybrids of Kelp Grouper (Epinephelus bruneus) and Red-Spotted Grouper (Epinephelus akaara)

In this study, the embryonic development and hatchability of eggs fertilized by the reciprocal hybrids of kelp grouper (Epinephelus bruneus) and red-spotted grouper (E. akaara) were evaluated with the goal of establishing a novel hybrid with enhanced growth and viability during the farming period in the temperate waters of Korea. The fertilization rates were lower for hybrids than for maternal purebreds and were significantly higher in the red-spotted grouper ♀ × kelp grouper ♂ hybrid (RGKG, 89.61 ± 1.58%) than in the kelp grouper ♀ × red-spotted grouper ♂ hybrid (KGRG, 74.82 ± 4.23%, p < 0.05). Unlike the fertilization rates, the hatching rates of fertilized eggs were similar between hybrids and maternal purebreds and did not differ significantly between KGRG and RGKG (72.74 ± 3.60% vs. 75.23 ± 2.20%, respectively, p > 0.05). The embryonic development of the hybrids was similar to that of maternal purebreds; however, irregular cleavage and asymmetric blastoderm were noticeable in the developing eggs of KGRG hybrids. The deformity rates of newly hatched larvae were higher in hybrids than in maternal purebreds and were significantly higher in KGRG than in RGKG (17.47 ± 1.28% vs. 7.11 ± 0.54%, respectively, p < 0.05). These results demonstrate the potential to produce viable larvae from these two hybrids. Although the production efficiency of KGRG was lower than that of RGKG, the fertilization, hatching, and deformity rates make both hybrids useful for further comparative studies regarding economic aspects.