European sea bass juveniles produced in hatcheries require specific welfare attention during early life stages before transfer to grow-out systems.
Early life welfare in sea bass hatcheries sets the foundation for fish health throughout the production cycle. Light pollution, thermal shock, and handling during grading cause stress responses measurable in larval fish. Malnutrition during the early larval stage causes skeletal deformities including spinal curvature and jaw malformations that affect welfare for life. Live prey quality and availability during first feeding are critical. Grading juveniles to reduce size variation decreases aggression and injury rates. Hatchery biosecurity prevents pathogen exposure that causes mass mortality events.