Fig. 2

a Growth performance during Phase 2 (Total Length, BodyWeight) of juvenile gilthead sea bream two months after the end of the early-life events. All fish were held under the same weaning and pre-growing rearing conditions. Groups are indicated according to their early larvae history. Box and whiskers (min to max) is the outcome of 20 measurements per group. b Whole body cortisol levels during Phase 2: Whole body cortisol levels (x ± S.D., n = 10) of juvenile gilthead sea bream according to early life stress (CON: Control; STR-FF, STR-FLX, STR-FINS: chronic mild stress for 14 days after the beginning of first feeding, flexion and the formation of all fins, respectively) and sampling method (minimum handling, common handling and 1 h post-acute stress)