Growth gradients in fish larvae*

Abstract

Relative growth intensity of various longitudinally measured body segments in larvae of several species of fishes was distributed across the body in a continuous, U‐shaped gradient. Juveniles lacked a simple pattern of growth but appeared to grow nearly isometrically. Body depth exhibited a shallow, U‐shaped gradient while body width lacked a discernible pattern. Most intense growth, in three orthogonal planes, occurred posteriorly, probably promoting effective swimming early in life.