Changes in the mouth morpho-histology of hybrid Malaysian mahseer (Barbonymus gonionotus ♀ × Tor tambroides ♂) during the larval development

•A new hybrid of Malaysian mahseer was produced by crossbreeding Malaysian red mahseer Tor tambroides male and silver barb Barbonymous gonionotus female through induced breeding for a possible introduction into the aquaculture industry.•The study was carried out to observe the morphology, functional capabilities and histological of the mouth development of hybrid Malaysian mahseer larvae.•The exogenous feeding began in conjunction of the mouth opening at 3 DAH with an estimated opening of 111.01 ± 5.91 μm Ø and 173.11 ± 10.98 μm Ø at 45o and 90o, respectively.•Live foods such as rotifers and microworms seemed to be suitable for the first feedingof the hybrid fish larvae while Artemia nauplii could be given starting from 5 DAH.