The timing of co-feeding (CF) live prey and microparticulate diet (MD) can affect growth and survival of larval marine fishes. The effects on growth and survival of larval red drum for CF beginning on day 8, 14, and 20 (CF 8, CF 14, and CF 20, respectively) were tested. CF periods lasted for 12 days for CF 8 and CF 14 and 10 days for CF 20. The larvae were stocked at 15/L and cultured from 2 to 30 days post hatch (dph) in 520 L tanks with re-circulating filtration and environmental control. The larvae were fed semi-continuously with automatic feeders. Standard length and wet weight were determined several times between 8 and 30 dph, and survival was determined at 30 dph. Cost per fish was calculated from costs of rotifers, artemia, MD, and larval culture husbandry for each CF period. There was a significant interaction between the day CF was initiated and fish age for standard length and wet weight (Length: F3,1057 = 3.84, P <0.008; Wet weight: F4,792=3.63, P<0.0061). Growth was faster for CF 8 between 15 and 21 dph than the other groups, growth accelerated in CF 14 after 21 dph to meet the length and weight of CF 8, while the slowest growth occurred in CF 20. Survival was significantly affected by the day CF was initiated with mean survival (± standard deviation) for CF 8, CF 14, and CF 20 of 0.301±0.087, 0.362 ±0.070, and 0.476±0.028, respectively. Survival in CF 14 was not significantly different from CF 8 nor CF 20, but survival of CF 20 was significantly greater than CF 8. Growth of larvae was reduced in CF 20 possibly because of increased survival or benefits of MD not realized when fed at earlier ages. Cost per fish decreased with each successive CF period but opportunity costs to grow CF 20 fish for additional days, to reach the same size as the other CF schedules, was not determined. Changes in artemia supply and demand could increase the cost of CF 20 and MD amounts used during CF might be reduced with future investigations to reduce costs. This study demonstrated how weaning using different CF schedules affects culture performance and costs for larval red drum, and the results can be used to determine costs under different facility specific situations and goals.