The nutritional demand of oyster larva (Crassostrea gigas) were investigated to determine the optimal culture conditions and improve micro-algae utilization. Changes in nutrients and shell growth were examined in fed and 96-h (48 h in late umbone stage) oysters at four larval stages. Shell growth increased significantly in D shape larvae, regardless of feeding variations. No growth was observed in starved larvae, except in shell length of umbone (to 11.9 ${mu}m$). Fed larvae showed significant growth in all development stages (P < 0.05). During starvation, lipids were most significantly decreased in all larval stages (by 76.8%, 68.3%, 76.3%, and 40.3%, respectively), followed by protein (41.1%, 31.1%, 33.1%, 16.7%) and nitrogen-free extracts (40.8%, 24.3%, 36.9%, 20.1%), Gross energy (kcal/g) consumption in each larval stage was 49.6%, 35.1%, 39.1%, and 20.4%, respectively. Our results indicate that lipids are the most important energy source during the early larval development stages of C. gigas.