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.
Keywords: growth; health status; initial fish density; survival; teleost fish.