The abnormal development of plaice embryos and larvae in marine aquaria

Abstract

We know that a mature female plaice can liberate many thousands of eggs into the sea during the spring spawning season in the southern North Sea (Simpson, 1951). We also know that a very small percentage indeed of these eggs develops into fish of marketable size. At all stages in its life history a plaice is con-fronted with environmental hazards, which, if not overcome, may have fatal consequences.