This study was aimed to acquire information ontrophic behavior of Diplodus puntazzolarvae and juveniles, by studing theontogenetic sensory development, except vision.D. puntazzo specimens were observed usinga scanning electron (n = 67) and a lightmicroscope (n = 7). The results concerned fourontogenetical stages of sharpsnout seabream:larval, post-larval, transitional, and juvenilestages. The yolk-sac larval stage was notdetected as the smallest larvae at our disposal(3.1 mm TL; 2nd day from hatching) showedno external appearance of the yolk. During thelarval stage (3.1–4.7 mm TL), sharpsnoutseabream is equipped with free neuromasts andolfactory ciliated receptor cells. In thepost-larval stage (5–28.6 mm TL), mechano- andchemo-reception is implemented: the inner andouter taste buds differentiation, the nasalformation, the lateral line system canalizationoccur. The precocious differentiation ofchemo-receptors makes post-larvae particularlysensitive to the organoleptic properties ofadministered preys. D. puntazzo, at theend of this phase, could be considered ajuvenile (complete squamation is acquired),except for the mouth and pharyngeal teeth.During the subsequent phase (`transitional'),in fact, eight chisel-type and two lateralseries of molar-like teeth progressivelysubstituted the conical ones on each jaw, andthree different types of teeth on the upper andlower pharynx differentiated. So, the juvenilephase is reached in individuals longer than58 mm TL.