The effects of three levels of environmental enrichment treatments (no environmental enrichment (group C); low-level environmental enrichment (group EL); and high-level environmental enrichment (group EH)) on the behavioral response and distribution of Sebastes schlegelii in early developmental stages were studied with an experimental ecology method. Additionally, the attractive effect of two kinds of artificial reef models (pyramid and cylinder reef models) on S. schlegelii was also studied. The results showed that S. schlegelii had different behavioral habits in early developmental stages. The post-larvae were scattered, whereas larvae and juveniles concentrated around the test tanks when there were no artificial reef models. When the two kinds of artificial reef models were introduced into the test tanks, there were no significant changes in the larval and post-larval average distribution rates in the central region of the tanks where the artificial reef models were placed (P>0.05), but juveniles increased significantly from 1.11% to 47.78% and 54.44%, for pyramid and cylinder reef models, respectively (P<0.01), indicating significantly increased attractive effects of the two kinds of models with the growth and development of the fish. Environmental enrichment of 25 days had no significant effects on the average distance between the center of gravity of colony and artificial reef models (D_gr), average distance of fish and the center of artificial reef models (D_fr), distance between individual fish (D_ff), nor average distribution rate in the central region (P>0.05). However, environmental enrichment of 47 days showed different behavioral characteristics among juvenile fish cultured in three types of net cage environments. When no reef models were introduced, the average distribution rate in the central region of group EH was significantly higher than that of group C (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between groups EL and C, nor between groups EL and EH (P>0.05). The order of D_gr and D_fr was group EL > C > EH. When artificial reef models were introduced into the tanks, the order of the average distribution rate in the central region was group EL > C > EH, and the order of D_fr and D_ff was group EL < C < EH. These results indicated that low-level environmental enrichment could strengthen the juvenile attractive effect of artificial reef models and decrease the boldness of fish, which is essential for their survival in the natural environment. The research may provide referential information for further studies in hatchery techniques and stock enhancement.