The embryonic and yolk-sac larval development of laboratory-reared saddled bream Oblada melanura (Linnaeus, 1758) is described. The fertilized eggs were pelagic and transparent with one oil globule with a mean diameter of 0.833 ± 0.055 mm and a range from 0.755 to 0.928 mm. Embryonic development lasted 32 h 30 min at 21.9 ± 0.4ºC. Newly hatched yolk-sac larvae were 1.992 ± 0.111 mm in length. The yolk-sac was completely absorbed after 56 hours, when larvae reached 3.050 ± 0.041 mm. The mouth started to open 48 h after hatching and was functional after 60 h with an opening diameter of 0.180-0.210 mm. Changes in length and shape of yolk-sac larvae during the first three days after hatching are also presented.