The study analyzed the stages of the embryonic development of the curimata Prochilodus brevis , endemic fish of the northeast Brazilian, belonging the family Prochilodontidae (Characiformes). The embryos were obtained of the Estacao de Piscicultura Estevao de Oliveira (DNOCS – Caico, RN, Brazil). The collections were accomplished after the beginning of the spawning and fertilization of the oocytes, in intervals of one hour to the appearance of the larvae. The samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde for morphological analysis and in Bouin's solution during a period of twelve hours, after they were processed through routine histological techniques. The eggs of P. brevis are spherical, transparent and non-adhesive. The main events reported during embryogenesis were: zygote, cleavage, morula, blastula, gastrula, organogenesis, hatching and larvae. These events are common to several species of teleost fish, the variation found are related to the chronology of each phase and the specific characteristics of oocytes and eggs. The characterization of the embryonic development of fish such as P. brevis , it is essential to suit the growing conditions to the biological needs of these animals. The data from this study agree with studies of species endemic to the northeastern region and expand the possibilities for their cultivation. Keywords: Embryogenesis; reproduction; aquaculture; developmental biology; curimata.