Physiological responses of juvenile wedge sole Dicologoglossa cuneata (Moreau) to high stocking density

Physiological responses to a high stocking density were tested in juvenile wedge sole Dicologoglossa cuneata (Moreau). Fish were kept at low (1 kg m⁻²), medium (3 kg m⁻²) and high (9 kg m⁻²) stocking densities for 22 days. No differences in the weight, length, survival and hepatosomatic index were observed among treatments. Basal plasma cortisol and osmolality were found to be directly and positively related to stocking density. A mild increase in plasma glucose was seen at medium density, and plasma protein was elevated at medium and high densities. The liver glucose and glycogen content was inversely related to stocking density. The liver triglyceride level was significantly elevated at the highest density, and the α-amino acid content decreased at the highest density. In muscle, glucose levels were significantly higher in fish kept at the lowest density; the α-amino acid content was elevated in fish kept at high density. In conclusion, plasma cortisol levels indicated an increasing stress level depending on the culture density, but significant changes in energy reserves did not occur in tissue (mainly liver and muscle glycogen and glucose reserves were significantly affected).