Life-history evolution has generated many successful reproductive strategies in teleost fishes with different maternal contribution levels (e.g., energy content and quality of yolk and oil globule) to the next generation. T he first feeding is a crucial bottleneck in fish production. It is often associated with ‘mass mortality’ events in different species raised to date, such as snapper (e.g., Lutjanus guttatus , L. peru , L. argentiventris , L. campechanus , and Ocyurus chrysurus), snooks (Centropomus viridis and C. undecimalis), croakers (Cynoscion nebulosus , Sciaenops ocellatus, and Totoaba macdonaldi) and others species . After hatching, the larvae have to be ready for the transition from endogenous nutr ition to exogenous food sources . This includes the development of their active sensory systems (pigmented eyes, pectoral fins, swimming behavior, jaw gape) as well as physiological-digestive parameters such as liver, pancreatic, intestinal, and stomach enzymes that appear heterochronically between different fishes. Mass mortality events in captive- bred fish are linked to this transition in food source and need to be optimized for every species. For example, snappers (egg size between 600-800 mm and oil droplet not more than 125 mm) sometimes have to have their yolk sac entitrely depleted before first feeding, while snooks and croakers ( same egg size range but with oil droplet between 150 to 250 mm) can feed before yolk sac depletion and accelerate their growth rates. In those fishes, three critical parameters playing a role at first feeding are the mouth gape (restricting particle size), larval length (restricting swimming capacity and hunting success) and handling. In addition, t he quantity and quality of prey at the appropriate time are important to maintain the correct feeding behavior and long-term survival . Our re sults with more than 20 diferent marine fish species rely on the use of healthy enriched rotifers at this stage. Consequently, o ur different results have shown between 10% to 40% survival in snappers and more than 60% in snooks and croakers. B ased on those previous experiences, an innovative red drum semiautomatic larval rearing system was designed and tested at the Whitney Laboratory. With this system, we reached an average of 50 juv/l and more than 60% survival. Hence, we need to keep in mind that at first feeding, all larvae can ingest, digest, and assimilate food that permits them to continue to grow to the juvenile stage. In conclusion, it is clear that the reliable production of high-quality juveniles is indispensable for success in new aquaculture species, and the first feeding is a crucial step.