Larval growth and hatching days of lanternfishes Diogenichthys laternatus and Myctophum nitidulum (Myctophidae) collected in September 2012 in nearshore waters (<1km offshore) at Mejillones Bay, northern Chile, were estimated on the basis of microstructure analyses of sagitta otoliths, to establish potential differences in early traits of both species from the productive coastal waters of the Humboldt Ecosystem. Growth increments were well defined, and no accessory primordia were observed in the analyses of the largest individuals in either species (8.61 and 9.17mm BL, respectively). Both larval species displayed slow and similar growth rates: 0.057 +/- 0.016mmday(-1) for D.laternatus, and 0.061 +/- 0.005 mmday(-1) for M.nitidulum. A large variability in the size-at-age in larvae of both species was detected. However, a recent otolith growth index showed all M.nitidulum in similar condition 5days before capture, but with three D.laternatus in better condition and only one in a poorer condition than the other D.laternatus individuals. Growth trajectories estimated by the microincrement width of sagitta otoliths, indicated the presence of fast- and slow-growing larvae for both species. Also, the back-calculated birth' days suggest a large hatching pulse for D.laternatus near the third-quarter moon. The small sampling size of M.nitidulum precluded a robust conclusion on hatching patterns, although most individuals were hatched between the third quarter and the new moon. It is suggested that the slow growth rates estimated for both larval species might be caused by cold waters from upwelling events and/orallometric growth during early development of these lanternfish.