The eggs of Mugil cephalus were significantly larger than those of Epinephelus malabaricus, and E. coioides, while those of Sciaenops ocellatus were intermediate between E. coioides and M. cephalus. The distribution density of pores in the egg envelope of S. ocellatus was significantly different from that of E. malabaricus and E. coioides. The micropyle diameters were significantly different in the four species. The ultrastructure of the zona radiata surface, the distribution density of pores and the size of eggs were also useful characters for distinguishing among the four species, but the ultrastructural features of the micropyles were the most important of all for egg identification. 2000 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles