Salinity & Temperature
Effects on Fish
Microbiome
SalTSEFISH Research Project
Investigating how climate-driven changes in salinity and temperature affect the growth, physiology, and microbiome of sea bream (Sparus aurata) — towards more sustainable aquaculture systems.
About the project
SalTSEFISH takes a comprehensive look at how environmental stress reshapes the microbial communities of farmed sea bream — and what that means for fish health, growth, and climate-resilient aquaculture.
Climate & environmental stress
Fish and their microbiomes face increasing fluctuations in salinity and temperature driven by climate change. We study how these stressors alter microbial communities across gut, skin, and gills.
Complete microbiome profiling
First-ever full characterisation of farmed sea bream microbiome — covering all Prokaryotic microorganisms including Bacteria and Archaea — under extreme salinity and temperature conditions.
Sustainable aquaculture
Research findings support the development of climate-resilient sea bream farming systems, addressing global demand for high-quality, responsibly produced seafood.
Host–microbiome interactions
Combining ecological, physiological, and functional approaches to understand how microbial pathways influence fish growth, immunity, and adaptation under stress.
Research objectives
Three core aims
The project addresses fundamental questions in fish microbiome science through three interconnected objectives.
Full microbiome characterisation
Investigate for the first time the complete farmed fish microbiome (skin, gills, gut) of individuals growing under different and extreme salinities and temperatures, including all Prokaryotic microorganisms.
Microbial vulnerability & adaptability
Investigate community vulnerability or adaptability through functional pathways that change under different conditions and how these pathways influence fish growth and health.
Beneficial microorganism detection
Detect potentially beneficial microorganisms that assist the host in coping with changing environmental conditions — key candidates for future probiotic applications.
Research team
A multi-institutional team spanning marine microbiology, ichthyology, and aquaculture nutrition.
Alexandra Meziti
University of the Aegean
Principal Investigator
Vasileios Bakopoulos
University of the Aegean
PhD student
Mente
Eleni
Aristotle University
Professor, Nutrition
Nikolaos Vlachos
University of Patras
Asst. Professor
Eleni Nikouli
University of the Aegean
Postdoctoral Research
Michael-Aggelos Valsamidis,
University of the Aegean
PhD student
Nefeli Tsaousi
University of the Aegean
PhD student
Ioannis Mitsopoulos
University of the Aegean
PhD student
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