## 1 Introduction  
The large yellow croaker (_Larimichthys crocea_), commonly known as the Chinese large yellow croaker, belongs to the order Perciformes, family Sciaeenidae, and genus _Larimichthys_[1]. This species is named for its golden-yellow luster along the lateral body surface and is one of the most important marine aquaculture species in China. Large yellow croaker is highly favored by consumers for its tender texture, delicious flavor, and richness in protein and trace elements [1]. It is widely used in high-end catering markets both domestically and internationally, with stable and continuously growing market demand. With the continuous advancement of aquaculture technology, the large yellow croaker hasemerged as a species with significant economic potential in the field of aquaculture [2]. As a warm-water marine fish, the large yellow croaker primarily inhabits sandy-bottomed shallow coastal waters. Its optimal temperature range is 18-25 \({}^{\circ}\)C [3]. The species exhibits schooling behavior and a relatively fast growth rate. Spawning typically occurs from April to June and again from September to October each year [3]. Female croakers produce a large number of eggs and demonstrate strong reproductive capabilities. Although the species is highly adaptable to environmental conditions, it has relatively high requirements for water quality. Proper water quality management and scientifically formulated feeding strategies are essential for healthy growth.  
With the decline of natural fishery resources, artificial aquaculture has become the main method for supplying large yellow croaker [4]. Within the aquaculture process, the selective breeding of seedlings (juvenile fish) is a critical step that directly affects survival rate, growth performance, disease resistance, and overall farming efficiency [5]. High-quality seedlings should originate from healthy broodstock with favorable genetic backgrounds, exhibiting strong disease resistance and environmental adaptability. They should be capable of rapid growth and high survival rates, thereby improving feed conversion efficiency, shortening the culture cycle, reducing costs, and increasing economic returns. In contrast, low-quality seedlings tend to be more susceptible to disease, show slower growth, and significantly increase farming risks and economic burdens.  
Seedling selection is not only vital for economic outcomes but also plays a critical role in ensuring population health and ecological balance. Scientific breeding practices should enhance productive traits while maintaining genetic diversity to prevent genetic degradation and declining adaptability. Preserving genetic diversity helps strengthen the population's immunity and adaptability, while also reducing the risk of recessive harmful mutations caused by inbreeding. Under ecological aquaculture models, high-quality seedlings should demonstrate superior environmental adaptability and feed conversion efficiency, which can effectively reduce pollution and eutrophication in aquatic systems. This, in turn, promotes environmentally friendly and sustainable development in aquaculture [6]. Therefore, selective breeding of seedlings is not only key to improving farming profitability but also forms the foundation for ecological aquaculture and the sustainable development of the industry [7].  
To address these needs, the primary objective of this review is to summarize the current practices, challenges, and research progress in the selective breeding of Larimichthys _crocea_ seedlings. The secondary objectives include: (1) analyzing the effects of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors on seedling quality and growth performance; (2) exploring the integration of intelligent technologies such as computer vision, artificial intelligence, and genomic tools in seedling selection; and (3) proposing future directions for sustainable and intelligent breeding strategies.