<p>Open earthen pond-based larviculture is the main method for rearing Chinese mitten crab (<i>Eriocheir sinensis</i>) larvae in China. Bacterioplankton play a vital role in aquaculture ecosystems, but their community succession throughout the larval nursery stages of <i>E. sinensis</i> in such systems is still poorly understood. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, this study characterized the dynamics of bacterioplankton communities during a complete <i>E. sinensis</i> larval rearing cycle in open earthen ponds. Results presented a distinct, unidirectional succession in bacterioplankton composition, characterized by a decrease in Alphaproteobacteria and an increase in Actinobacteria. Live feeds (<i>Brachionus plicatilis</i> and <i>Artemia salina</i>) significantly affected bacterioplankton communities directly through their biological activities and indirectly by modifying the structure of phytoplankton composition. In addition to live feeds, water temperature and dissolved oxygen were key environmental factors affecting the structure of bacterioplankton communities. Biotic interactions, specifically with phytoplankton and copepods, were key drivers of bacterioplankton succession. Routine feeding practices during larval cultivation decreased bacterioplankton network complexity and strengthened community stability. Keystone taxa, specifically OTU783 (Rhodobacteraceae) and OTU1235 (Microbacteriaceae), played an essential role in maintaining the community stability through recruiting more rare species during the later stages despite their low abundances. These outcomes advance our understanding of the mechanisms central to bacterioplankton community succession and stability in <i>E. sinensis</i> larviculture systems, offering critical insights for developing sustainable aquaculture management strategies.</p>