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Article

Impact of Stocking Density on Growth, Feeding Behavior, and Flesh Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Coupled Aquaponic Systems

by
Marco Birolo
*,
Veronica Trabacchin
,
Paolo Sambo
,
Stefano Triolone
and
Carlo Nicoletto
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animal and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Fishes 2025, 10(11), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110552
Submission received: 2 October 2025 / Revised: 24 October 2025 / Accepted: 28 October 2025 / Published: 2 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings)
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Abstract

Stocking density is a key driver of performance in aquaponics, affecting both fish welfare and crop yield. This study evaluated the impact of three initial stocking densities (3.1, 4.1, and 6.2 kg/m3) on survival, growth, feeding behavior, carcass and filet quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), as well as on the yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) cultivated in vertical coupled aquaponic units. A total of 184 fish (109 ± 28 g) were reared for 176 days in nine independent recirculating systems. Fish reared at the lowest density achieved the highest final live weight and specific growth rate, with a better feed conversion ratio, whereas performance declined at higher densities despite similar survival rates. Feeding behavior was generally consistent across groups, although feed intake rate was reduced at the highest density. Carcass and filet quality traits were unaffected by stocking density. Vegetable yield was enhanced by higher fish biomass, with significant increases in lettuce production and a positive trend for basil. These findings indicate that intermediate stocking densities may represent the most sustainable compromise, ensuring fish welfare and acceptable growth while supporting efficient plant production in largemouth bass–based aquaponics.
Keywords: aquaponics; fish behavior; fish growth performance; fish survival; fish welfare aquaponics; fish behavior; fish growth performance; fish survival; fish welfare

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MDPI and ACS Style

Birolo, M.; Trabacchin, V.; Sambo, P.; Triolone, S.; Nicoletto, C. Impact of Stocking Density on Growth, Feeding Behavior, and Flesh Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Coupled Aquaponic Systems. Fishes 2025, 10, 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110552

AMA Style

Birolo M, Trabacchin V, Sambo P, Triolone S, Nicoletto C. Impact of Stocking Density on Growth, Feeding Behavior, and Flesh Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Coupled Aquaponic Systems. Fishes. 2025; 10(11):552. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110552

Chicago/Turabian Style

Birolo, Marco, Veronica Trabacchin, Paolo Sambo, Stefano Triolone, and Carlo Nicoletto. 2025. "Impact of Stocking Density on Growth, Feeding Behavior, and Flesh Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Coupled Aquaponic Systems" Fishes 10, no. 11: 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110552

APA Style

Birolo, M., Trabacchin, V., Sambo, P., Triolone, S., & Nicoletto, C. (2025). Impact of Stocking Density on Growth, Feeding Behavior, and Flesh Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Coupled Aquaponic Systems. Fishes, 10(11), 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110552

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