Stress responses of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) elicited by water level reduction in rearing tanks

The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) stress response was examined by measuring plasma cortisol, glucose and chloride in fish after water level reduction within rearing tanks. Maximum plasma cortisol levels (366 +/- 43 (SD) nM and 534 +/- 280 nM for Groups 1 and 2, respectively) were observed 20 min after application of the stressor. Cortisol levels were down to control levels 24 h later. The pattern for cortisol changes observed within these two groups were comparable. Plasma glucose and chloride concentrations did not change significantly in either of the experimental groups. The fish in group 2 were then repeatedly subjected to the same stressor every third day. After the fifth exposure to the stressor, blood was obtained from fish at times corresponding to sampling after the first exposure. Their maximum plasma cortisol level only reached 223 (+/- 96) nM, and was down to prestress levels within 2 h. Plasma glucose and chloride concentrations did not change significantly in this second experiment. This challenge test revealed an acute primary response in Atlantic salmon without any apparent harmful secondary responses, that may thus serve as a standardized reference stressor using other fish groups under comparable conditions.