Stress levels
in fish
Chronic stress
- Stocking density, feeding strategy, sorting and transport, as well as environmental conditions are major stressors for fish.
- Fish faced with stressful stimuli launch an endocrine stress response through activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis that releases the major stress hormone cortisol.
- Chronic stress (through cortisol) negatively effects whole body performance (metabolism, growth), reproduction and immune system, resulting in a decline in production yield and fish welfare.
Major stressors of fish in aquaculture
