The Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) is a cold-water species with the potential to diversify aquaculture in Northern countries. Few studies have investigated the stress physiology of Atlantic wolffish, and the current knowledge on stress in wolffish species is largely derived from the closely related spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor). In the current study, Atlantic wolffish were exposed to handling stress mimicking common husbandry conditions in aquaculture such as repeated air exposure and net-chasing. Samples were taken prior to stress exposure (pre-stress
control) as well as 5- and 24-h post-stress. A series of primary and secondary acute stress response parameters were assessed: plasma cortisol, glucose and lactate levels, hematological indices (hemoglobin, Hb
hematocrit, Hct
mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, MCHC), and osmoregulatory capacity through plasma osmolality and gill Na