Water quality, growth and stress responses of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer Bloch), reared at four different densities in integrated recirculating aquaculture systems

- An IRAS was developed in order to overcome the problem of nutrient overloading and animal welfare problems in RASs.
- Increased stocking density resulted in a small but significant increase in cortisol level.
- Under chronic stress conditions, elevated thyroxine (T4) caused decreased circulating levels of triiodothyronine (T3).
- Under acute stress condition, elevated cortisol levels resulted in decreased T4 and T3 levels.