The Pinnotheridae family in Venezuela is represented by 14 species, including Mesotheres strombi. Three ovigerous females of M. strombi were obtained from artisanal fisheries of the gastropod Strombus pugilis, with eggs in advanced embryonic stages. They were placed individually in glass containers, without any food supply, until the eggs hatched. A total of 192 larvae were distributed into 24-well ice cube trays, each well holding 2.8 ml. Two experimental groups were established: Group A (Experimental): no food provided, and Group B (Control): fed at a density of 10 to 15 Artemia nauplii. Water was changed daily in the cubicles, and molts and deaths were recorded. No significant differences were found in survival or in the duration of the different stages between the two experimental groups (ANOVA P > 0.05). The larval development of M. strombi comprises two zoea stages and one megalopa stage, with the first and second larval stages lasting 2 days each and the postlarval stage lasting 2–3 days before molting into the next stage. The larvae can reach the first crab stage using only their yolk reserves. On the seventh day of the experiment, the survival rate of the first crab reached its maximum (91.67% in Group A and 84.38% in Group B). The first crab could live in Group A until day 36 and in Group B until day 35. In both groups, no crab managed to complete the molt to the next stage.
