1. Fish Larvae

2. Characters used for the identification
Yolk shape
Position of oil globule
Anterior
Posterior
Scattered
concentrated in yolk
Number of myomeres
Color
Thickness
Sculpture
Appendage

3. Position of anus Fin Fold Melanophores Anterior Half Body Posterior
Origin of Position
Wide
Narrow
Sculpture
Melanophores
Location
Form

4. Diagnostic features applicable to different groups of fish larvae
1.  
Short oval body
Balistidae
2.    
Short depressed body
Pegasidae
3.  
Crest on nape
Leiognathidae
4.  
Barbel on lower jaw
Exocoetidae
5.  
Elongated tentacle on operculum
Champsodontidae
6.  
Bony ridge over eyes
Carangidae
7.  
Protruded snout
8. 
Pelvic fins abdominal
Soft rayed fishes
9.   
Single short dorsal fin
Engraulidae
10.
Single long dorsal fin

5. 11.
Two dorsal fins
Mugilidae
12.
Pectorals enlarged
Exocoetidae
13.
Ventral fins absent
Tetradontidae
14.
Elongated fin rays on dorsal
Soleidae
15.
No spines on operculum
Labridae
16.
Spines on operculum
Scombridae
17.
Elongated spines on the dorsal and ventrals
Acanthuridae

6. Alimentary canal
18.  
Bulged or sac like
Clupeidae
19.
Long and straight
Cynoglossidae
20.
Short and coiled
Majority of Perciform fishes
Anal opening
21.
At middle of body
Bothidae
22.
Behind middle of body
Mugilidae
23.
Far backwards
Synodontidae.
24.
Far forwards
Blennidae

7. Pigmentation
25.
Dense
Holcentridae
26.
Partial
Mullidae
27.
Blotches, spots
Apogonidae
Myotomes
28.  
Vertebrae Less than 24
Balistidae
29.  
30-40
Labridae