A total of nineteen
Luvarus imperialis larvae, 3.5 to 10.7 mm in standard length were collected during the cruises of R/V Shoyo Maru in the northwestern Pacific
and eastern Indian Ocean. This paper describes meristic and morphological features of these specimens throughout development.
The features particularly noted in postlarvae and early juveniles ofL. imperialis are: 1) large head with a wide snout, 2) oval and well-compressed body, 3) large pectoral fins, 4) developed and finely serrated
dorsal and pelvic spines, 5) well-developed head spination, 6) minute spines on the soft rays of all fins in larvae larger
than about 5.6 mm SL, and 7) very rough body surface associated with the development of spiny-edged scales.
Larvae ofL. imperialis occur mostly in the coastal waters between lat. 40°N and 40°S of the world oceans, suggested the spawning in temperate waters.