Embryonic Development and Growth Performance of the Tomato Hind Grouper (Cephalopholis sonnerati): A New Cultivated Aquaculture Species

The tomato hind grouper (<i>Cephalopholis sonnerati</i>) is an emerging aquaculture species, with significant commercial value and promising farming potential. To advance the theoretical framework for artificial breeding, this study systematically investigated the embryogenesis, early larval morphology, growth patterns, and heritable traits of the species. The results indicated fertilization and hatching rates of 88.67 ± 3.93% and 79.67 ± 7.55%, respectively, with an average egg diameter of 0.87 ± 0.02 mm. Hatching occurred 22:55 h after fertilization at 24.80 ± 0.70 °C, corresponding to 568.42 degree-hours, and the newly hatched larvae measured 2.09 ± 0.12 mm in total length. Interestingly, as the fish grows, the color of its head patches shifts from yellow to red, providing a visible trait that can be used for early growth screening. After 15 months of graded rearing, marked growth disparities were observed among individuals originating from the same clutch, with the fast-growing group weighing 457.12 ± 58.68 g, which was 2.9 times greater than that of the slow-growing group. These findings underscore the potential of <i>C. sonnerati</i> as a valuable aquaculture species. Future efforts should prioritize enhanced broodstock selection and the development of fast-growing germplasm to increase its cultivation potential.