This study investigated the morphology, morphometric and meristic characters of 117 larval Pimelodus britskii showing early development of head, eye, barbel and snout. Body and mouth pigmentation increased throughout development; the mouth was ventrally situated in the yolk‐sac stage, becoming subterminal afterwards, and an embryonic fin was visible in all four stages observed. Post‐flexion larval P. bristskii are distinguished from larval P. ortmanni by having 47–50 myomeres (v. 36).