Early osteological development and deformities of Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Diplodus vulgaris (Saint-Hillaire, 1817)

Despite the low incidence of morpho-anatomical abnormalities occurring in natural populations, this pose a serious problem for cultivated fish causing increased mortality, reduced growth and conversion rates, thus limiting production and profits. In this study we made an osteological evaluation in the white seabream (Diplodus sargus) and in the common two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris), two sparid species currently under adaptation to intensive aquaculture. Commission of the European Communities - 2007-2013 Atlantic Area Transnational Programme; Project “SEAFARE - Sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture for the Atlantic region of Europe”