Biomarkers of stress and metabolic efficiency in two fish species cultivated in tropical environments
Synopsis
In the ecuadorian Amazon, the need for biomarkers to optimize management practices in tropical aquaculture has become evident. This study aimed to characterize the physiological and metabolic status of tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) and cachama (Piaractus brachypomus) in order to identify indicators of stress and metabolic efficiency. A total of 40 fish (n = 20 per species) were evaluated at two time periods (morning and afternoon). Blood samples were obtained through caudal puncture under ethical handling conditions. Cortisol levels were determined by immunofluorescence assay, while biochemical profiles (urea, creatinine, and ALT) were analyzed using automated chemistry methods. Tilapia exhibited a higher condition index (2.5), increased cortisol levels (280 ng/mL), and higher concentrations of urea and creatinine, suggesting greater activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–interrenal (HPI) axis and accelerated metabolism, consistent with better adaptation to aquaculture conditions. In contrast, cachama showed low and stable cortisol levels, a lower condition index (1.3), and elevated ALT values (40 U/L), compatible with hepatic susceptibility. We conclude that tilapia displayed a more efficient physiological performance, whereas cachama requires adjustments in management and nutrition practices.
Downloads
Pages
icta.e8
Published
May 25, 2026
Categories
Copyright (c) 2026 Zulay Marina Niño Ruiz, Laura Inés Salazar Cotugno (Coordinador de obra); Patricia Yissel Dávalos Cerrón, Azucena Chanatasig, Felipe Cerrera, Andrea Carolina Palacios Rosado, Mateo Patricio Sánchez Sanaguano, Liliana Paulina Lalaleo Córdova, William Calero Cáceres, Santiago Casado, Joshua Pazmiño, Jaime Martí-Herrero, Rocio Cecibel Jiménez Paute, Kevin Campaña, Elena Coyago-Cruz, Andrea Hidalgo-Dávila, Lizbeth Alpusig-Guanoluisa, Belén Apolo, Felipe Rivera-Rueda, Yerovi Sánchez-Arias, Karen Marcella García, Rubianith Suárez, Harol Smith Daza, Geovanna Tafurt, Duverney de Jesús Chaverra, Edita Valle, Evelyn Oña, Mishel Calero, Jonathan Liria, Andrés Sebastian Calderón Velasco, Roque Rivas-Párraga, Inti Llumiquinga, Ana Bravo, Julio Rea, Máximo Moreira, Oscar Vivanco, Nicole Jara, Lilibeth Carrión, Stefanía Cevallos, Paulo Herrera, Esteban Patricio Romero Valladares, Ana Paula Rosero-Jácome, Eliza Jara-Negrete, Gabriel Picón Nava, Nelly Paredes, Wilfredo Ramiro Franco, Wilmer Shiguango, Willin Álvarez, Juan Ponce, Jessica Sánchez, Christian Israel Andrade Romero, Alexandra Vargas, David Sanchez, Negover Briñez, Byron García, Dennis Tomalá, Mery Ramirez, Jenny Rodríguez, Paúl Tufiño Mateus, Enrique Laaz, Willan Revelo, Cecilia Puertas, Juan Andrés Guadamud, Karina Olalla-Tacuri , Darwin Omar Yánez Avalos, Diana Callejas, Sara Álvarez, John Mauricio Castillo Torres, Edith Pamela Tapia Pruna, Daniela Endara, Carolina Castro, Silvia Alejandra Llerena Gordillo, Kevin Stwart Tulcanaza Ruiz, Noroska G.S. Mogollón, Melany Ochoa, María Cristina Peñuela, Jimmy Yumbo, Enith Yánez, Carolina Ñacato, Samira Lluno, Henry Conteron, Pedro Cadena, Corina Campos, Oswaldo Guzman, Micaela Campos, Cindy Vera, Dayana Vera, Christian Coral, Bruce Tumbaco, María Soledad Solorzano, Bryan Valencia, José Sebastián Araujo Soria, Sandra Torres, Enzo Loor, Oscar Ayala, Darwin Rosero, Amparo Condor, Luis Cáceres, Miguel Flores, Elena Ulcuango, Nicole Pilco, David Galarza, Mishell Cabrera, Julieth Chancay, Paola Soto, David Portillo, Diana Cisneros, José Aguirre-Déleg, Pablo Maita-Zambrano, Aimee Delgado-Cruz, Myrian Larco, María Soledad Salazar, María Susana Grijalva, Viviana Stefanía Cárdenas Loor, Mónica Dazzini Langdon, Sheila Tobar Vallejo, Vinicio Velásquez Zambrano, Juan Carlos Soria Aguas (Autor de capítulo)
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Biomarkers of stress and metabolic efficiency in two fish species cultivated in tropical environments. (2026). In III International Congress of Biotechnology and Neotropical Ecosystems (p. icta.e8). Editorial Unión Científica. https://doi.org/10.63804/CIBEN.25.icta.e8
