Effects of rearing density on sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) biological performance, blood parameters and disease resistance in a flow through system

During 84 days, the effects of density on juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax )( 76± 16 g) were studied in an experimental tank-based flow through system. Performance, stress response and resistance to virus infection were analysed under five stabilized rearing densities: 10, 20, 40, 70 and 100 kg m −3 . Water quality parameters (CO2 ,t otal ammonia nitrogen and O2) were measured and maintained close to the recommended values for farmed sea bass by adjusting water renewal exchange. No significant differences were observed between density treatments, neither on stress response (cortisol) nor susceptibility to nodavirus. With regards to biological performances, the daily feed intake and specific growth rate were significantly lower in fish reared at the 100 kg m −3 density. Results on the effects of density in sea bass reared in flow through (present study) and in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) (Sammouth et al. 2009) were compared as a contribution to the identification of density not affecting health and welfare in farmed sea bass.