ABSTRACT
Numerous studies have been dedicated to larval development, growth, and larval behavior of commercially important fishes such as Chanos chanos. The specimens used in this study originated from naturally spawned eggs, hatched in October 2004 and reared in facilities of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Aquaculture Department, Iloilo, Philippines. The water temperature ranged between 26 and 30°C. Samples were taken every day from day 1 to day 45 and then irregularly from day 46 to day 65, with size up to 80 mm standard length. The notochordal flexion in Chanos chanos begins in specimens at about 6 mm NL, but the appearance of the flexion varies from about 6 to 10 mm NL. The chondrification of elements of the caudal skeleton surrounding the caudal tip of the notochord varies intraspecifically.
