Flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) is a species found in tropical and temperate seas around the entire world. Mugil cephalus is a low trophic fish species (trophic level 2-3), feeding on detritus, plants and zooplankton. An important economic food species, providing a firm white flesh and bottarga roe, which are appreciated in many areas of its distribution. Mugil cephalus is an important aquaculture species that offers high sustainability as it does not naturally require dietary fish meal or oil.

The mullet (Mugil liza, family Mugilidae) is a species of great importance in commercial and artisanal fishing, being historically associated with the subsistence and culture of artisanal fishing communities in coastal regions. In is classified as an overexploited species and is undergoing assessment of its population conservation status to define fisheries management and planning strategies.

Brazilian sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis - Family Clupeidae) occurs in coastal waters, often forming compact schools. It is a key species for the fishing sector involving several fleets based in Southern and Southeastern Brazil. This species is responsible for maintaining the largest industrial fish processing chains in Brazil.

Abrupt variations in capture occur annually, so captive production is an alternative to supply existing demand. The Marine Fish Farming Laboratory (LAPMAR) has already performed unprecedented studies demonstrating the control of the complete life cycle of S. brasiliensis in captivity.

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the main species farmed worldwide in monoculture and polyculture. Common carp has high cultural and nutritional value in central Europe and is consumed mainly during Christmas period. Common carp is an important aquaculture species that offers high sustainability as it does not require dietary fish meal or oil in semi-intensive production system.

European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) is a native keystone species in Europe, Mediterranean and Black Sea, which provides habitat, shelter and food for other habiting species. As a filter-feeder, Ostrea edulis is a low trophic species, feeding on phytoplankton, suspended organic particles, detritus, bacteria and zooplankton. Ostrea edulis has been part of the human diet for many centuries, but nowadays the production is less than 2 percent (~2,400 tons in 2022) of the total European oyster production. However, as the average price for Ostrea edulis is 3 to 5 times greater than the common Pacific cupped oyster, its farming is a very important sector in the areas where is cultured.

The purple sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) is a species of echinoderm found in coastal waters of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. The purple sea urchin is characterized by its spherical body covered in movable spines, which can range in colour from purple to black or reddish-brown. It is an herbivorous grazer, primarily feeding on various types of algae, including kelp and other seaweeds. It is economically important, as its edible gonads are harvested and sold as a delicacy, particularly in Mediterranean culinary traditions. Overharvesting and habitat degradation can pose threats to wild populations, making sustainable management crucial. Research into the species' aquaculture potential aims to develop practices that balance economic and ecological considerations.

Narrowed claw crayfish (Pontastacus leptodactylus) is a native for central Europe crayfish species, suitable for co-culture with fish in ponds. Narrowed claw crayfish is a low trophic species and has a potential to become important aquaculture species.

The genus Ulva is a group of edible green algae (Chlorophyta) that is widely distributed along the coasts of the world's oceans. Ulva spp. often present fast growth and high nutrient uptake rates and therefore are considered optimum candidates for fish aquaculture nutrients bioremediation when cultivated in IMTA systems. Furthermore Ulva spp. biomass has a range of applications including food and feed to crop biostimulants. It is very easy to culture, tolerating a wide range of lighting and temperature conditions and it can be attached to rocks or another surfaces, or simply drifted in the water. Members of the genus Ulva are already playing an essential role in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries as well as in fish aquaculture and for the generation of biofuels. Ulva is considered a good source of vitamin B12, protein (up to 33%), iron, calcium sodium, magnesium iodine and other minerals and contain high levels of vitamins A, B1 and C.

Despite the growing demand for algae in the EU markets, its production is growing slowly. Traditionally, the industry was based mainly on the harvesting of macroalgae. However, this technique is subject to annual fluctuations, poor product quality and raises concerns about the conservation of the marine ecosystem. Now the cultivation of macroalgae is mostly carried out in earth ponds and/or tanks that provide a better control on both quantity and quality of biomass. The genus Ulva is an ideal candidate to growing in fish ponds since it reaches high biomass production with high protein content. The rapid growth of Ulva is attributed to its high photosynthetic rates and high ability to uptake dissolved nitrogen. Ulva withstands the considerable environmental fluctuations to which the tanks or ponds are subjected. Additionally, the environment of the ponds is improved by this type of macroalgae which is able to balance fishpond pH level, oxygen demand and to increment chlorophyll a concentration.
In IMTA systems Ulva and/or other seaweeds will act as biofilters. Thus, an efficient algal-based integrated mariculture farm maintains optimal standing stocks of all the cultured organisms, considering their requirements for water and nutrients and their rates of excretion and uptake of the important solutes by each of them. This allows the profitable use of each of the culture species (seaweeds, molluscs, fish) with minimum waste in the environment.

Gracilaria spp. are red macroalgae (Rhodophyta) widely distributed in warm and temperate waters around the world. Gracilaria spp. are among the most cultivated in the world, as its biomass, particularly due to its high agar content has long been used in food and pharmaceutical industries, and shows potential for applications in other areas such as feeds and bioplastics industries.

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is considered as one of the most nutritious plants. Its cultivation alongside carp not only enhances economic viability of carp farms but also plays a pivotal role in improving water quality by naturally remedying nutrient discharge.

European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is distributed in Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea, commonly inhabiting shallow coastal waters, as well as littoral zone in estuaries, lagoons and rivers. Juvenile individuals feed on invertebrates, adults are piscivorous (trophic level 3-4). Dicentrarchus labrax was historically cultured in coastal lagoons and tidal reservoirs, by the late 1970s techniques for reliable mass-production of juveniles have been developed and, nowadays, it is one of the most important commercial fish widely cultured in Mediterranean basin. Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Croatia and Egypt are the biggest producer countries. The European aquaculture production of Dicentrarchus labrax at 2021 was ~97,000 tons.

Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) is distributed in Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea. Sparus aurata is mainly carnivorous, feeding on shellfish, including mussels and oysters, and accessorily herbivorous (trophic level 3-4). The species was cultured in coastal lagoons and saltwater ponds, until artificial breeding was successfully achieved in 1980s. Due to the high survival rate, feeding habits (relatively low in the food chain) and very high adaptability to intensive rearing conditions (both in ponds and cages), Sparus aurata resulted a very suitable species for extensive aquaculture in the Mediterranean basin. Nowadays, the European market for seabream has become almost saturated (~103,000 tons in 2021) and the market price decreased considerably.

Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a marine species widespread all over the Mediterranean Sea. Argyrosomus regius is a high trophic fish species (trophic level 4-5), feeding on fishes and swimming crustaceans. Aquaculture of this species is quite recent, the fry production is limited to a single hatchery operating in France, but the rearing protocol is relatively unknown and it has not yet been made public. The first commercial production was recorded in France in 1997, whilst in Italy it was first reported only in 2002. In 2021, the European production of Argyrosomus regius was ~11,400 tons.