Oxygen consumption rates during embryonic and the first 38 days of larval development of the striped mullet were measured at 24° C by differential respirometry. Measurements were obtained at the blastula, gastrula and four embryonic stages, and at the yolk‐sac, preflexion, flexion and post‐flexion larval stages. Oxygen uptake rates of eggs increased linearly from 0.024 μl O2 per egg h‐1 (0·323 μl O2 mg‐1 dry wt h‐1) by blastulae to 0·177 μlO2 per egg h‐1 (2·516 μlO2mg 1dry wth‐1) by embryos prior to hatching. Respiration rates did not vary significantly among four salinities (20,25, 30, 35%0). Larval oxygen consumption increased in a curvilinear manner from 0·243 μl O2 per larva h‐1 shortly after hatching to 18·880 μl O2 per larva h‐1 on day 38. Oxygen consumption varied in direct proportion to dry weight. Mass‐specific oxygen consumption rates of preflexion, flexion, and postflexion larvae did not change with age (10·838 μl O2 mg 1dry wt h‐1). Larval oxygen consumption rates did not vary significantly among salinities 10–35%. Acute temperature increases elicited significant increases in oxygen consumption, these being relatively greater in yolk‐sac larvae (Q10= 2·75) than in postflexion larvae (Q10= 1·40).

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