Larvae pass through 11 distinct jarval stages and finally reach the post-larval stage. Identification of various larval stages should be known to  hatchery technicians. During the early period larvae pass through one stage per day and at later stage 2 to 3 days are required to complete each stage. Healthy larvae reach the post larval stage in 22 to 30 days time.

                  At later stage of the larval cycle two to three stages can be observed on same day in the larval tank. The initial stage larvae always prefer to cluster at the tank surface. From X stage onwards larvae like to stick to the sides and bottom of the tank. Post-larvae always like to stay at the bottom of the tank Identification characters of different stages of larvae are given.

1. Prominent characteristics
2. Sessile eye
3. Staked eye
4. Uropod appears
5. Two dorsel teeth on the rostrum
6. Telson narrower and elongated
7. Pleopod buds appear
8. Peopod biramus and bare
9. Pleopods with setae
10. Endopods of pleoped with appendices internee
11. Three or four dorsal teeth on rostrum
12. Several teeth on upper dorsal margin or rostrum
13. Post-larvae stage: teeth on upper on lower margin of rostrum and behavioral change in swimming .