Gilthead Sea Bream

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 PriceEurope 5.50€/kg for 350kg Fry costs 0.28 euroshttp://thecornishfishmonger.co.uk/shop/gilt-h

ead-sea-bream-whole.html

Market LocationsGreece- the largest producer SpainItalyTurkey France

OriginMediterranean SeaEastern Atlantic Coasts: United Kingdom to

the Canary Islands Rare in Black Sea

Life Cycle and Larval StageProtandrous (Male then female)Male for two years of its lifeFemale for the restSpend their initial years in lagoons and

estuaries

ReproductionSpawning 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

1980- were reproduced in captivityHatcheries - Hatch in 48 hoursNurseries Semi-intensiveIntensive

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 (4oC)Brackish waterNeeds light and social interaction with mates

to determine reproduction Optimal Water Temperature= 24-26ºC 16-20 months growthpH=8.5Salinity= 50nM

Advantages They are the tastiest of the sea bream familyReproduction can be controlledCan reproduce off-spawn seasonSold wholeGood FCR

I may be ugly but at least I taste good!

DisadvantagesIf 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 itCan disease wild sea bream if they pass by

the cageDue to high price, farmers have a difficult

time to make a fair profit

Thanks for listening!

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