[Pisces] in fishes, a larva following the time of absorption of yolk; applied only when the structure and form continues to be strikingly unlike that of the juvenile (Hubbs, 1943). Postlarvae of some species are so distinctive they were placed in different genera than the adults. Some of these generic names are now used to indicate the postlarval stage, e.g. acanthostedion stage of Peristediidae, tholichthys of Chaetodontidae, acronurus of Acanthuridae, rhynchichthys of Holocentridae, krohnius of Macrouridae.

Alternative forms for post-larvae : post-larval, postlarval.