Abstract
Postlarvae of the gonostomatid fish, Pollichthys mauli (Poll), are described and the early life history is studied for the first time.It is shown that sequence of development is divided into two distinct forms, i.e., white-bait form changes into adult form through marked metamorphosis. White-bait larvae are slender and are devoid of pigmentation except eyes;eyes are oval and possess underlying choroid tissue;anus and anal fin are situated very posteriorly of the body.Buds of photophores appear late in the larval stage.Adult form shows the features of mesopelagic inhabitants; photophores develop prominently;forebody is elongated and/or deepened;pigments spread on the head and along the back;eyes are rounded and lost the choroid tissue;anus and anal fin are set anteriorly.Developmental stages are subdivided as follows: white-bait form, into prelarval (not included in this study), postlarval (this stage is further separated into early, middle, and late stages), and metamorphic stages;adult form, into juvenile and adult stages.
