Fitness and behavioral correlates of pre-stress and stress-induced plasma cortisol titers in pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) upon arrival at spawning grounds

► We related stress physiology to spawning success in pink salmon. ► We assessed relationships between individual behavior and cortisol concentrations. ► Non-spawning females had greater stress-induced cortisol and decreased longevity. ► Dominant fish of both sexes had reduced baseline cortisol concentrations. ► Results show fitness correlates of both baseline and stress-induced cortisol.