Abstract
Egg development and morphological change of larvae of the brown croaker, Miichthys miiuy, were investigated after obtaining samples by artificial insemination. The spawning season extends from the middle to the end of August in the seas off Lim-ja Island, Cheollanam-do. The fertilized eggs were transparent, spherical, separate and they floated. Egg diameter ranged 0.96~1.08 mm with several oil globules of 0.06~0.34 mm. Hatching occurred 17 hours 10 minutes after fertilization in 25.2~28.4$^\circ{C}$ water temperature. The newly-hatched larvae were 2.36~2.63mm(mean: 2.48 mm, n = 10) in total length (TL), had a large yolk, and 7~8+17~19 = 24~27 myotomes. Melanophores were distributed on the eye lens. Three days after hatching the larvae had attained 3.98~4.32 mm in TL (mean: 4.16 mm, n = 10), the yolk sac was completely absorbed, and they had transformed into the postlarva stage. The larvae reached the juvenile stage with all fins formed and with a complete set of fin rays (D. X-28~31; A. II-7~8; P. 21~23; C. 19~21; V. 25~26) on the 31st day after hatching. The juveniles were 9.62~12.76 mm (mean: 11.12 mm, n = 10) in total length. At this point the juvenile was similar to the adult in body form and pigmentation pattern.