We describe early morphological development in laboratory-reared specimens of the brown croaker, Miichthys miiuy, in relation to fin differentiation, head dimensions, and squamation. From the yolk sac stage to the flexion larval stage (a period of 12 days following hatching, at which time the larvae were <4.2 mm in total length; TL) we observed the presence of a fin-fold around the body, while the caudal fin appeared rounded and lacked scales. Rays developed in the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins in a process that was almost complete in larvae 12 days, while ray segmentation occurred between 26 and 29 days of age. Elongation of the middle rays of the caudal fin was initiated at 32 days, and the rays were remarkably elongated by 37 days. By 68 days the caudal fin was lanceolated (50.7 mm TL). Scales began to develop from the midlateral lines of the caudal peduncle at 9.1mm TL (28 days), eventually encompassing the entire operculum (22.1 mm TL; 44 days). The head dimensions were largely stabilized at >12 mm TL (30 day).