Traditionally, gilthead seabream were cultured extensively in coastal lagoons and brackish ponds, particularly in valliculture in northern Italy and in esteros in southern Spain. In the 1980s, however, gilthead seabream were reproduced successfully in captivity and intensive rearing systems were developed, especially in sea cages. Gilthead seabream, whose name refers to a golden band on its head, has become one of European aquaculture’s main fish species.

Body oval, rather deep and compressed. Head profile regularly curved. Eye small. Mouth low, very slightly oblique. Lips thick. Four to 6 canine-like teeth anteriorly in each jaw, followed posteriorly by blunter teeth which become progresively molar-like and are arranged in 2 to 4 rows (teeth in the 2 outer rows stronger). Total gill rakers on first arch short, 11 to 13, 7 or 8 lower and 5 (rarely 4) to 6 upper. Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 13 to 14 soft rays. Anal with 3 spines and 11 or 12 soft rays. Cheeks scaly, preopercle scaleless. Scales along lateral line 73 to 85. Colour silvery grey; a large black blotch at origien of lateral line extending on upper margin of opercle where it is edged below by a reddish area; a golden frontal band between eyes edged by two dark areas (not well defined in young individuals); dark longitudinal lines often present on sides of body; a dark band on dorsal fin; fork and tips of caudal fin edged with black.
Sparus aurata is common in the Mediterranean Sea, present along the Eastern Atlantic coasts from Great Britain to Senegal, and rare in the Black Sea. Due to its euryhaline and eurythermal habits, the species is found in both marine and brackishwater environments such as coastal lagoons and estuarine areas, in particular during the initial stages of its life cycle. Born in the open sea during October-December, juveniles typically migrate in early spring towards protected coastal waters, where they can find abundant trophic resources and milder temperatures. Very sensitive to low temperatures (lower lethal limit is 4 °C), in late autumn they return to the open sea, where the adult fish breed. In the open sea gilthead seabream are usually found on rocky and seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) meadows, but it is also frequently caught on sandy grounds. Young fish remain in relatively shallow areas (up to 30 m), whereas adults can reach deeper waters, generally not more than 50 m. This species is a protandrous hermaphrodite. Sexual maturity develops in males at 2 years of age (20-30 cm) and in females at 2-3 years (33-40 cm). Females are batch spawners that can lay 20 000-80 000 eggs every day for a period up to 4 months. In captivity, sex reversal is conditioned by social and hormonal factors.

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