The effect of the timing of first feeding (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 days post‐hatch, dph) on laboratory‐reared California halibut Paralichthys californicus larvae was evaluated by means of morphologic, morphometric and histological criteria. Larvae began to feed exogenously at 3 dph (2·7 ± 0·01 mm standard length, L S ) at 18° C. Eye pigmentation, rather than mouth opening was the most distinctive trait of California halibut larvae...

Morphological development, allometric growth and behaviour of hatchery‐reared California halibut Paralichthys californicus were studied from hatching to metamorphosis (42 days post hatch, dph) at 187° C. Mean standard length ( L S ) of larvae and juveniles increased from 2.1 mm at hatching to 10.5 mm at metamorphosis with the increase in length being approximately linear. Stages of morphological development were described usin...