This study was conducted to identify taxonomic differences in the characteristics of Rhodeus uyekii and Rhodeus ocellatus during their initial life history via an interspecific hybridization experiment. Hybrids were compared to their parent species, and the findings were used to inform developmental research in commercially useful aquarium fish. The hatching rates of the cross-bred eggs were 75.9% for cross UO (R. uyekii ♀×R. ocellatus♂) and 71.9% for cross OU (R. ocellatus♀×R. uyekii♂), which did not differ greatly from the hatching rates of the normal cross-bred group. Backcross experiments resulted in 100% egg mortality during development. Newly hatched larvae of the original hybrid crosses were similar to those of the maternal line, and the color of the egg yolk was similar to that of the paternal line; therefore, the respective traits of the interspecific parents were identifiable within the cross-bred offspring.