Larval development and survival of Tripneutes ventricosus up to metamorphosis were evaluated. Ten sexually mature specimens were collected from `Faro de Charagato' to `Laja Amarilla' (10º50'07"N, 64º09'33"O) Cubagua island, Nueva Esparta state, Venezuela. Spontaneous spawning of the organisms was produced during their transport to the laboratory. Pluteus larvae (2 ind mL-1) were randomly distributed into 16 plastic recipients (18 L) (32000 larvae/recipient), with 16 L of filtered sea water and continuous aeration. Two groups of eight recipients each were set up; one group was kept at outdoor temperature (29 ± 1°C) and the other one at laboratory temperature (23 ± 2°C). For each temperature Chaetoceros gracilis (50000 cells mL-1) was added as food to four recipients and a mixture of C. gracilis plus Isochrysis galbana (25000 cells mL-1 of each species) to the other four recipients. Survival was daily determined, from 4-mL sample taken from each treatment, and the live larvae were quantified. The body length was estimated every other day in five preserved larvae with 5% formaldehyde. Postlarval stage was attained 24 days after spawning in both culture temperatures. Morphological differences were not detected neither body length between treatments, however, survival showed differences (ANOVA, P<0.05) with the best results in larvae fed on C. gracilis and I. galbana mixture (30 ± 0.30%) at outdoor temperature.