As the United States production of warm water marine cultured fish increases, the demand for optimizing different culture aspects at different stages has been continuously arising. Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus ) has been identified as a promising candidate for commercial scale aquaculture, but to date little information is available regarding its optimal salinity growth at the larval stage. Comparison of the fatty acid (FAs) profiles and patterns of use and conservation of the essential FAs of larvae at different stages (i.e., hatching, start of exogenous feeding, weaning etc.) and reared at various salinities will help identify the optimal salinity for growth, feed utilization and lipid metabolism and biosynthesis. The present study aims to describe and compare lipid and fatty acid use from Florida pompano larvae reared at various salinities. After 3 days' post hatch (dph) at 30 ppt, larvae were incubated at 10, 20 and 30 ppt in triplicate. Samples for FA analysis were collected every three days until weaning, which occurred 24 dph. F atty acid composition was analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry . We hypothesize, that larvae reared at low salinity (i.e. 10 ppt) would express more energetic needs (more use of saturated and monounsaturated FA) and a more selective conservation of essential FA in their membranes than larvae reared at optimal salinity (i.e. 30 ppt). By understanding the energetic requirements at specific salinities and different developmental stages, we will be able to optimize Florida pompano culture and fatty acids requirements for optimal growth and health.