Liza haematocheila is a fish species with potential economic value; therefore, it is important to study the developmentof L. haematocheila larvae, juveniles, and young. In this study, the digestive system of Liza haematocheilafrom 1 to 39 days post-hatching (dph) was morphologically observed by light microscopy, and developmental characteristicswere described. The results showed that digestive tracts of the newly hatched larvae at 20–22℃ were composedof a single tube for digestion. At 4 dph, the upper and lower jaws appeared, and the yolk sac was absorbed. Thegastrointestinal tract was generated in coils by the digestive tract. The stomachic prototype came out of the first coils,and the following coils formed into the foregut and hindgut. At 7 dph, the yolk sac was completely absorbed, and the oilglobule were absorbed fairly well and disappeared; the post-larvae individuals obtained nutrition by exogenous feeding.At 8 dph, the digestive system was clearly differentiated into organs such as the esophagus, stomach, intestine, rectum,liver, and pancreas. At this time, nutritional requirements of the larvae gradually transitioned from endogenous to exogenous.Subsequently, with larval growth, the digestive tract changed to have increased wrinkles in the mucous layer,thickened walls, and a bigger cavity. From 15 dph to 18 dph, elongation of the digestive tract, deeper folds, and increasein the absorption surface were observed. At 18 dph, the pyloric caeca was formed, and gastric glands were observed,which indicates the beginning of digesting exogenous protein. Meanwhile, the intestinal epithelial cells further differentiated,the muscle continually thickened, and the intestines became segmented and circular. The larval feeding habitsbegan to change to herbivory. Subsequently, the digestive system gradually improved both functionally and structurally.As of 18 dph, the juveniles had rapid increase in body length by exogenous nutrition. These results showed that L.haematocheila digestive system development was consistent with functional improvement.