Monthly variations of haematological parameters of Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax reared in Mediterranean land off-shore tanks

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in haematological and biometric parameters in relations to monthly variations in sea bream and sea bass reared in Mediterranean land off-shore tanks. For this purpose, each month (from October 2010 until June 2011), haematological profile was assessed on 25 Sparus aurata and on 25 Dicentrarchus labrax randomly captured from the same batches in Sicilian farm. The application of one way ANOVA showed a strong significant effect of time on all blood parameters in both species that showed similar trend in Red Blood cell count (RBC), Haematocrit (Hct), Haemoglobin concentration (Hgb) and in White Blood Cell count (WBC). RBC and Hct showed highest values in January; from December until February Hgb was higher respect to other months; in sea bream WBC assumed highest values in February while in sea bass WBC was highest in January. Thrombocyte Count (TC) was highest in November and after a decrease during cold months, it rose again in spring. These results obtained could improve the understanding of the influence of seasonal variations on the haemotological and biometric parameters in fish in order to optimize the husbandry practices.