Changes in Blood Cell Morphology and Number of Red Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus akaara in Response to Thermal Stress

Rising of water temperature due to global warming is a great concern to aquaculturists and fishery biologists. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of high water temperature on juvenile red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara based on the evaluation of stress responses in blood. E. akaara juveniles were exposed to different thermal conditions (25℃, 28℃, 31℃, and 34℃) for 6 weeks following 2 weeks of acclimation at 25℃. Blood cell morphology and number were examined at three sampling points (2, 7, and 42 days) from a total of 180 fish. Major erythrocytic cellular abnormalities (ECA) observed in blood smears of thermally stressed groups (31℃ and 34℃) after 6 weeks were echinocytes, teardrop-like cells, swollen cells and vacuolated cells. Both red and white blood cell number (RBC and WBC) were significantly (p<0.05) elevated in 31℃ and 34℃ group after 6 weeks thermal exposure. Differential leucocytes number showed significant increases in neutrophil (N) and decreases in lymphocytes (L) in the highest temperature (34℃). Different N:L ratio was observed at different thermal conditions which can be used as a reliable alternative to measure stress response. Taken together, these results suggest that higher temperature (31℃ and 34℃) can interfere the immune system of red spotted grouper by altering the blood cell morphology and number.