Early rearing of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with mild current enrichment modifies fish swimming behavior without altering their growth performance

The implementation of conditions that favor optimum swimming activity (e.g., suitable flow regimes), has been associated with enhanced growth and improved welfare in some farmed fish species. Despite the importance of European seabass in aquaculture, the potential beneficial effects of rearing flow conditions have not been sufficiently explored in this species. This study investigates how the application of fast (F, 0.01–0.20 m s^-1) or slow (S, <0.01 m s^-1) steady flows in rearing tanks for 75-77 days affected physiological and behavioral traits in seabass fingerlings. Growth performance, external and internal morphology, and several physiological variables, including hematocrit, plasma cortisol concentration, and osmotic and ionic balance were not affected by flow conditions during rearing. Also, behavioral tests implemented in groups or isolated individuals suggest that coping styles were not affected by the two tank-rearing conditions. On the contrary, the swimming behavior assessed in tests was modified by the flow condition experienced during rearing. Mean swimming speed, peak acceleration, swimming distance, angular velocity, and meander showed some variability across different tests and time, although consistently displaying higher values in seabass reared in the F condition, suggesting increased activity and more consistent swimming patterns in that group. However, the cumulative time in proximity between individuals measured in behavioral group tests suggested that group cohesion was variable, without displaying differences between F and S groups. These findings have particularly important implications for fish welfare and may suggest plasticity in the behavioral response to rearing conditions for this species, although not affecting the assignment of the individuals to the different coping styles.

Summary statement

We investigated how mild current enrichment applied during early rearing in seabass modifies physiological and behavioral responses involving swimming activity, exploring the potential associations to fish welfare.