Making Baby Oysters

How are baby oysters made?

Oysters are made when male and female gametes (egg and sperm) fuse to form a zygote (fertilized egg). The fertilized egg cell continues to grow and divide into a multicellular oyster.

Development of Oyster Larvae (baby oysters)

Day 0

Egg gets fertilized and starts to divide.

Five hour old baby oysters start to swim and will swim for about two weeks

Day 2

D-Hinged larvae

Day 4

D-Hinged larvae continure to grow and start to round up

Day 6

Start to develop a hinge and start to look like adult oysters

Day 8-11

Oyster shell and shape are fully developed

Day 12

Oysters are almost ready to start developing eyes

Day 14

Continue to develop eye spots and feet