Morphological development of larvae and juveniles of laboratory-reared yellow croaker Nibea albifora are described from a series of specimens sampled daily. Details on the early developmental stages are illustrated, with special reference to morphological transformations and the developments of digestive tract, fins and scales. Artificially fertilized eggs were 836.5±38.2μm in mean diameter. Hatching occurred by 24-26h after the fertilization at water temperatures of 28.2-21.1℃. On the 3rd day after hatching, larvae completed yolk absorption and started feeding rotifers at 2.70±0.08 mm in body length （BL）. Notochord flexion started on the 19th day at 5.30±0.33mm BL. Transformation from the larval to the juvenile stage occurred between 7.6 and 12.0 mm BL. Then all fin rays attained the adult complement. Squamation completed at 8.9-11.8mm BL, and rudimentary pyloric caeca appeared when the larvae transformed into juveniles. Between 12.6 and 14.9 mm BL, juveniles completed the formation of adult-like digestive system. Three marked changes appeared in the relative growth at approximately 5-7 mm, 10-14 mm and 40-50 mm BL. These morphological changes were closely related to the notochord flexion and two important changes, i.e. the beginning and ending of the juvenile stage.
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