Effects of Low Stocking Densities on Zootechnical Parameters and Physiological Responses of Rainbow Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) Juveniles
Jérôme Roy,
Frederic Terrier,
Michael Marchand,
Alexandre Herman,
Cécile Heraud,
Anne Surget,
Anthony Lanuque,
Franck Sandres,
Lucie Marandel
Affiliations
Jérôme Roy
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Frederic Terrier
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Michael Marchand
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Alexandre Herman
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Cécile Heraud
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Anne Surget
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Anthony Lanuque
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Franck Sandres
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
Lucie Marandel
E2S UPPA, UMR1419 Nutrition Metabolism and Aquaculture, Aquapôle, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, INRAE, F-64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
The present study investigated the effect of low stocking density on growth, survival, feed parameters and physiological responses (blood metabolites, welfare indicators, immune biomarkers, and transcriptomic responses of stress and immune-related genes) on juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared under a recirculating aquaculture system during 12 weeks. Fish (average weight 29.64 g) were reared in triplicate under four initial densities: nine fish per tank (D9, 3.76 ± 0.06 kg/m3), 18 fish per tank (D18, 7.66 ± 0.18 kg/m3), 27 fish per tank (D27, 9.67 ± 0.01 kg/m3) and 36 fish per tank (D36, 12.94 ± 0.14 kg/m3). Results showed that lower stocking density D9 significantly altered survival with several fish dying during the experiment and an alteration of growth and feed efficiency for the remaining fish. In parallel, the study revealed that low stocking density induced a chronic stress altering the physiological responses of trout by dysregulation of the inflammatory, immune system, and indolamine/catecholamine brain levels. In conclusion, regarding all the variables observed, low stocking density (D9) alters survival, growth and feed efficiency of rainbow trout with alteration of their physiological responses. Selecting appropriate fish density relating to rearing conditions proved to be an essential concern to improve welfare in an aquaculture context.