To investigate the feasibility of applying a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) in the hatchery production of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and provide a theoretical foundation for promoting RAS-based hatchery systems. A comparative analysis was conducted between the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and the flow-through aquaculture system (FTS) regarding water quality parameters, growth performance of larvae and juveniles, and economic efficiency. Water quality monitoring indicated: temperature ranged from 15.7°C to 22.6°C, dissolved oxygen (DO) from 5.6 mg/L to 8.6 mg/L, and the average pH was 8.27, indicating stable water quality. The average total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration in the FTS group [(0.179 ± 0.087) mg/L] was significantly lower than that in the RAS group [(0.272 ± 0.167) mg/L, P < 0.01], while the average nitrite nitrogen concentration in the FTS group [(0.017 ± 0.010) mg/L] was also lower than that in the RAS group [(0.112 ± 0.087) mg/L]. The RAS group achieved greater larval performance, with an average total length of 65.7 mm, an average body weight of (1.63 ± 0.17) g, and a survival rate of 37.2%, compared with 52.1 mm, (1.49 ± 0.18) g, and 30.4% in the FTS group. Economic analysis demonstrated: profit per production cycle reached 22,700 CNY for RAS and 20,500 CNY for FTS, translating to annual profits of 90,800 CNY (4 cycles/year) and 61,500 CNY (3 cycles/year), respectively. The RAS-based seedling rearing system demonstrated effective water treatment performance and yielded favorable turbot seedling production outcomes. This model exhibits significant potential for application and promotion.