Abstract: In order to understand the adaptability of embryo and larvae of Paramisgurnus dableanus to salinity, we bred the gastrula embryos in water at salinity of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, then investigate the effect of salinity on the hatching period, hatching rate, abnormality rate, survival rate, specific growth rate (SGR), yolk sac absorption and survival activity index (SAI). The results show that: 1) The incubation period was significantly shorter than that of the control group at salinities of 2 and 4 (P<0.05). The incubation rate was highest at salinity of 4, not significantly different from the control group (P>0.05). 2) The abnormality rate of the newly hatched larvae increased with the increase of salinity, while the survival rate of larvae of 3 dah (Days after hatching) decreased. 3) The total length of newly hatched larvae decreased first and then increased, while that of larvae of 3 dah decreased with the increasing salinity. The SGR and yolk sac absorption rate increased first and then decreased. 4) The survival activity index (SAI) of the larvae increased first and then decreased with the increase of salinity, and reached the maximum at salinity of 4. These results indicate that the optimal salinity for embryo development and larval growth of P. dableanus is 0−4.