The present study aimed to investigate the effect of initial stocking density on the weaning and growth of juvenile yellowcheek carp (Elopichthys bambusa R.).Five groups were assigned in triplicate in the net cages (1.0 m×1.0 m×1.0 m) with different initial stocking densities of 100 ind/m3 (D1),300 ind/m3 (D2),500 ind/m3 (D3),700 ind/m3 (D4) and 900 ind/m3 (D5).The experiment was carried out for 28 days.The results showed that MR,CV decreased and then increased with the increasing of initial stocking density.CV in D1,D2,D5 was significantly higher than that in D3,D4.CR increased with the increasing of initial rearing density.WSR with the increasing of initial rearing density firstly increased and then decreased.Relationship between WSR and stocking density based on quadratic regression analysis was:Y=-1.101X2+13.590X+44.093，correlation coefficient R2=0.931,the optimum initial stocking density was 617 ind/m3.SGR decreased with the increasing initial stocking density.It was concluded that the optimal initial stocking density of net cage for the weaning of juvenile yellowcheek carp was 500-700 ind/m3 based on WSR,weaning efficiency and manipulation strength.