Sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax larvae were hatched and reared for 34 days in the laboratory to test a recent biochemical index (DNA/C) of larval fish nutritional condition. Variations in DNA/C ratio values were monitored during the whole larval ontogenesis of fed individuals and the effect of starvation was assessed at three developmental stages. Three main periods in the relative DNA content variations were determined in close connection with growth patterns during larval ontogenesis.