In the Wellington area eggs of D. puniceus (Richardson, 1846) and T. pinnulatus (Forster, 1801) are laid from mid-winter to spring, in clusters on the undersurface of permanently tide-covered stones. Egg clusters of both species are attended by an adult until hatching. Under laboratory conditions hatching occurs for each species at 24 days in temperatures of about 11.5°C.

The prolarva of D. puniceus is 5.00mm - 6.05mm standard length and has a prominent pale mauve yolk sac with a single large oil globule. The upper parietal peritoneum and the lower hind-brain are covered with conspicuous, stellate melanophores. Numerous melanophores are present on the myomeres of the trunk and peduncle. Caudal rays begin to develop by the 15th day.

The prolarva of T. pinnulatus (5.35mm-6.10mm s.l.) is similar to that of D. puniceus but lacks the melanophores on the myomeres.