Larvae of pandalid shrimp Pandalopsis japonica are benthic, and may prefer bottom to planktonic food items. Three diets, enriched Artemia meta-nauplii (AR), clam meat (CM), and crumbled shrimp (CD), were evaluated as food for early larvae in terms of biometric growth R:D ratios. Larvae fed AR and CM had significantly greater total length and dry weight than did larvae fed CD (P<0.05). Survival was significantly greater in larvae fed CM than in those fed AR and CD (P<0.05). R:D ratios were also significantly higher in larvae fed AR and CM than in those fed CD (P<0.05). Planktonic Artemia meta-nauplii containing high levels of fatty acids and amino acids were not suitable for either normal somatic growth or survival at early benthic larval stages. Furthermore, it is necessary to determine the optimal feeding duration to increase digestibility of AD. Thus, we propose that clam meat is the best diet for pandalid shrimp larvae.