Larval Development of the Atlantic Moonfish Selene Setapinnis (Osteichthyes, Carangidae) from Southeastern Brazil

Larvae and juveniles of Atlantic moonfish (Selene setapinnis) collected in the southeastern coastal waters of Brazil are described and illustrated. Notochord flexion starts at about 4.3 mm NL and ends at about 6.3 mm SL. The juvenile stage begins at about 11.0 mm SL. The precocious formation of the pelvic fin is very useful to distinguish Selene larvae from other carangid genera. Development of the fins and their supporting elements, head structures and vertebral column are studied based upon cleared and stained specimens. Larvae of S. setapinnis and of S. vomer can be differentiated by the sequence of fin formation, the pattern of pigmentation, the relative body depth and the size of the second dorsal spine.