The sea bream, also known as the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), belongs to the perciformes (perch-like) family, which altogether consists of over 200 different types. It prefers to inhabit warmer coastal waters, where it lives mostly in a depth of less than 30 metres. The sea bream has a very high back and grows to a maximum length of 70 centimetres. It can weigh up to 2.5 kilograms. A particularly distinguishing mark is the broad golden band between its eyes and one golden spot on the cheeks, lending it the name ‘golden bream’. The dorsal fin is covered with rays.
The sea bream feeds mainly off shellfish and crustaceans. Even harder prey do not pose a problem, since the molars and incisors are very strong and can crack shells.
A particular characteristic is that there are no purely male or purely female sea bream and they are therefore classed as hermaphroditic.
