Postlarval development of the gempylid fish Paradiplospinus gracilis (Brauer) [collected from South Atlantic Ocean]

Based on specimens collected from the South Atlantic Ocean, the postlarval development of the gempylid, P. gracilis , is described. Postlarvae of this species are characterized by the pelvic fin comprising only a single spine, small mouth, many dorsal spines, and two pigment lines on the body. The postlarva has similar morphological features to those of the postlarval stages of Diplospinus multistriatus of the same family, but differs from it by lack of pigment on the branchiostegal membrane, and the prominent uppermost preopercular spine. All postlarval specimens were obtained from subsurface collections (about 20-50 meters deep).