Currently, there is little known about the early development of the near-threatened bonefish (Albula vulpes ). Bonefish belong to the order Albuliformes, joined by tarpon, ladyfish, and eels. Members of Albuliformes share a unique leptocephalus larval stage , which is not well understood . This study will support conservation efforts to replenish wild bonefish populations by contributing to a comprehensive research collaboration with the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust that explores all aspects of the bonefish life cycle. Health at t he larval stage is crucial to adult bonefish health and identifying major lipids used for energetic processes can help to develop feeds for future captive populations. In order to gain a better understanding of the nutritional requirements for leptocephalus larvae, samples of wild A. vulpes larvae were collected at Long Caye Island in Belize. S ettlement stage leptocephalus larvae were preserved in formalin and frozen . A total of 36 larvae samples were used to determine various biochemical characteristics including lipid class breakdown, fatty acid profiles, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) abundance; each of which play a role in early developmental processes such as cellular membrane formation. Total lipids and lipid class breakdown were determined using thin layer chromatography and flame ionization detection (FID) techniques and fatty acid analysis was conducted using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. To determine GAG content in each sample, GAGs were isolated from the samples, separated by class, and measured using SAX-HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection techniques. The remaining larvae were preserved in formalin and underwent histological analysis to determine age and key morphological characteristics such as olfactory pit length and ocular diameter using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both biochemical and histological characteristics of wild A. vulpes larvae are presented in this study for the first time, helping to better understand the nutritional requirements of this species. In the future, these types of analyse s can be applied to other members of Albuliformes like eels to identify nutritional requirements at this stage of development. The information obtained in this study will aid in future studies regarding larval bonefish diets . Our findings will also facilitate the initial step in the development of adequate aquaculture systems for captive bonefish, ultimately leading to improved management strategies for wild bonefish habitats.