Variations of hepatocyte in the larval liver of grouper, Epinephelus akaara wre examined to understand the effect of starvation during the first feeding period, 3 to 5 days after hatching. Total length of the fed larvae increased from the 5th day after hatching, although no significant difference between the fed and starved larvae was found untill the 4th day after hatching. Survival rate of the starved larvae decreased from the 4th day after hatching, and almost all of the larvae died by the 5th day after hatching. Nuclear size of hepatocyte in the starved larvae starterd to decrease from the 4th day after hatching. The sizes by 4th and 5th days after hatching in the starved larvae were 1.4 to 1.9 times smaller than those in the fed ones. Hepatocytes in the starved larvae showed irregular morphology in which the nuclei were irregularly shrunk and highly compacted from the 4th day, while hepatocyte nuclei in the fed ones maintained their uniform features during the whole experimental period. These results implied that the initial larval food should be supplied at least within the 4th day after hatching. Also, it suggested that the size of hepatocyte nucleus might be and indicator of starvation for wild and cultured grouper larvae.