The objective of the present study was to investigate the biochemical changes during embryogenesis of Cherax quadricarinatus, in order to evaluate the nutritional requirements of embryos. The carbohydrate content remained a minor constituent of yolk on the whole. The total protein and the total amino acids (TAA) were all observed downtrend during embryonic development. In the essential amino acids (EAA), the content of leucine and arginine acid were relatively high, but in the non-essential amino acid (NEAA), the quantitatively most important were glutamine and aspartic acid. The content of total lipid decreased during embryonic development, and the predominant fatty acids of both neutral lipid and polar lipid were all C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω9 and C18:3ω3. It’s indicated that the carbohydrate played an important role in synthesizing many specific compounds to participate in signal transmission and to form carapace. The protein and lipid were all the dominating construction and energy substances; protein was primarily consumed in the early stages but lipid in the late stages. The saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (C16:0, C18:0, C16:1ω7 and C18:1ω9) were always used for energetic purpose and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (C20:5ω3 and C22:6ω3) were important as structural components of cell membranes and the central nervous system during the development. 34 Refs. In English.