Barramundi production in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is expanding in Australia, with welfare challenges around water quality, stocking density, and the species naturally aggressive behaviour.
Barramundi welfare in RAS systems is challenged by the species territorial and predatory nature, which conflicts with the high stocking densities required for profitable production. Chronic aggression causes fin erosion, scale loss, and stress in subordinate individuals. Frequent size grading to prevent cannibalism causes handling stress. Water quality failures in RAS — particularly ammonia spikes and oxygen crashes — cause rapid welfare deterioration and mass mortality. Evidence-based stocking density limits, reliable water quality monitoring systems, and minimised handling frequency are the foundations of welfare-positive barramundi RAS production.