Barramundi (Asian sea bass) is a rapidly growing aquaculture species prized for its mild flavour and fast growth. Understanding welfare in this tropical species is important as production expands across Asia and Australia.
Barramundi welfare research is at an early stage, but several welfare challenges are identifiable from production biology. Cannibalism during early stages causes significant mortality and injury — grading systems reduce but do not eliminate this welfare harm. Social hierarchy in pens means some individuals receive significantly less food and experience more aggression than dominant fish. Thermal welfare is critical — barramundi in sub-optimal temperatures show immunosuppression, reduced feeding, and stress responses measurable through cortisol. RAS systems allow better thermal management but create welfare risks through water treatment chemical exposure and equipment failure. Welfare-positive barramundi production requires appropriate temperature management, size grading to reduce cannibalism, and monitoring of social behaviour indicators.