<![CDATA[The production of high-quality Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) seed is strongly influenced by environmental management during the larval stage. Water temperature regulates metabolic activity, feeding, digestion, and development, whereas stocking density affects competition, stress, water quality, and survival. This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of water temperature and stocking density on the growth and survival of Asian seabass larvae cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system. A completely randomized factorial design consisting of three temperature levels and three stocking densities was applied. The nine treatment combinations were independently replicated three times using separate recirculating culture units. Specific growth rate, weight gain, length gain, survival, mortality, size variation, and water-quality parameters were measured during the culture period. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance followed by multiple-comparison testing. Water temperature and stocking density significantly affected larval growth and survival, and a significant interaction occurred between the two factors. The highest individual growth and survival were obtained at 30 °C and 10 larvae/L. However, the combination of 30 °C and 20 larvae/L provided the most balanced operational performance by maintaining high growth and survival while improving tank utilization. Larvae maintained at 32 °C and 30 larvae/L exhibited the lowest growth and survival, the highest mortality and size variation, reduced dissolved oxygen, and greater nitrogenous-waste accumulation. These findings demonstrate that temperature and stocking density should be managed jointly according to RAS treatment capacity. Maintaining an appropriate temperature–density combination can improve larval health, seed-production efficiency, fish welfare, and the environmental sustainability of Asian seabass hatcheries]]>
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