Effect of different light intensities on prolactin and cortisol plasma concentration in farming African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in RAS with low-water exchange

In the Bulgarian aquaculture sector, focusing research efforts on the technical specifications of the cultivation of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is important due to the need for more information. We aimed to assess the impact of light intensities on prolactin and cortisol levels as stress markers in African catfish. Fish were acclimated over an appropriate period to the short photoperiod (16D and 8L) and then distributed randomly to three groups, each separated by sex. Fish exposed to different light intensities (63, 51, and 40 lux, respectively) were followed for 45 days by lux meter. Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein using a 2 ml K2EDTA-coated syringe. A laser fluorescence reader assayed plasma prolactin and cortisol. The pituitary was removed from anesthetized fish and fixed for histological examinations. The results of our study suggest that increasing light intensity increases prolactin and cortisol levels in African catfish.