This paper presents the cycle of histological changes in the ovary of the icefish(Protosalanx hyalocranius Abbott). Samples were collected from Chongming andJinshan, along the coast of the Dong Hai Sea near Shanghai. The course of ovarian maturation is divided into six stages and a recoveredstage of Ⅵ--Ⅲ. The ovaries devrelop to Stagu I in April-May;Stage Ⅱ in June-Oct.;Stage Ⅲ in early Nov.; Stage Ⅳ in mid-Dec. The mature rish spawn at the end ofDec. and continue to April of the next year. After the fish released the first batch of eggs, the ovaries regenerate into StageⅥ-Ⅲ, which continue to develop rapidly into Stage Ⅳ′About half a month laterthe ovaries develop into stage Ⅴand are ready for a second spawning. The resulte indicate that this species releases at least fwo batches of eggs during itsreproductive period. It is obvious that the fish is a multiple spawning type After thelast-spawning the parent fish die off. The lifespan of icefish is only one year.