Taxonomy Common Aquaculture Sea Bream -Family: Sparidae -Sparus aurata(Europe) -Pagrus major(Japan, China) -Diplodus sargus sargus(Europe) -Lithognathus mormyrus(China) -Diplodus puntazzo(Europe)
Economic Importance Important to European culture - Economy wise - Food
Market Price Europe 5.50€/kg for 350kg Fry costs 0.28 euros sea-bream-whole.html sea-bream-whole.html
Market Locations Greece- the largest producer Spain Italy Turkey France
Origin Mediterranean Sea Eastern Atlantic Coasts: United Kingdom to the Canary Islands Rare in Black Sea
Life Cycle and Larval Stage Protandrous (Male then female) Male for two years of its life Female for the rest Spend their initial years in lagoons and estuaries
Reproduction Spawning season (October-December) Move into deeper waters to give birth In captivity -Photomanipulation(controlling the length of daylight) -Manipulating the water temperature
Production Methods Traditionally, they were cultured in coastal lagoons and brackish ponds, particularly in valliculture in northern Italy and in esteros in southern Spain were reproduced in captivity Hatcheries - Hatch in 48 hours Nurseries Semi-intensive Intensive
Extensive System
Intensive System
Feeding Larva - Yolk (2-4 days) -Zooplankton and microalgae - Weaning(40-50 days) -50%-60% protein diet Juveniles -Feed on larger protein pellets Adults -Fishmeal and Fish oil - Some vegetable extract
Water Chemistry and Environmental Requirements Sensitive to low temperatures ( 4 o C ) Brackish water Needs light and social interaction with mates to determine reproduction Optimal Water Temperature= 24-26ºC months growth pH=8.5 Salinity= 50nM
Advantages They are the tastiest of the sea bream family Reproduction can be controlled Can reproduce off-spawn season Sold whole Good FCR I may be ugly but at least I taste good!
Disadvantages If the Gilthead escapes from its cage, it could interbreed with wild Giltheads and corrupt the local food web Become pests Easily diseased Hard to handle without killing it Can disease wild sea bream if they pass by the cage Due to high price, farmers have a difficult time to make a fair profit
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