Physiological responses of cobia Rachycentron canadum following exposure to low water and air exposure stress challenges

Abstract

Prevention is the most viable disease management strategy in aquaculture, and prevention is primarily driven by strategies to avoid or minimize the effects of stress. Unfortunately, there is little information available regarding the stress physiology of emerging aquaculture species or appropriate experimental stressing protocols for these fishes, and thus very little context in which to evaluate mitigation strategies. Accordingly, the stress response of cobia was evaluated following exposure to 2 experimental stressors: low water and air exposure. Juveniles were exposed to air for 1 min (AIR EXPOSURE), held for 15 min in water lowered to the fish's lateral midline (LOW WATER), or unchallenged (CONTROL) prior to the collection of blood samples at 0 (pre-challenge), 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h post-challenge. Both stressors elicited classical haematological changes indicative of the generalized stress response, however, the magnitude of the response was consistently greater in the AIR EXPOSURE group. Plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate concentrations increased rapidly in the AIR EXPOSURE and LOW WATER groups, peaking within 1 h of challenge. Cortisol returned to basal levels rapidly, whereas glucose and lactate remained elevated for a longer period of time. Regardless of the stressor used, fish recovered within 12 h of the challenge. The primary and secondary responses of juvenile cobia challenged with low water and air exposure appear to respond in a similar fashion to other species exposed to these experimental stressors. Both low water and air exposure are suitable experimental stressors for use in cobia based on their ability to induce a classical stress response and ease of implementation.