Fish welfare is gaining more attention in both research and public awareness, reflecting a growing recognition of its ethical and economic importance. Fish exhibit a range of behaviours and physiological responses that suggest their capacity to experience pain and distress when exposed to deleterious stimuli. In aquaculture, maintaining fish health and welfare is essential for maximizing productivity and minimizing disease outbreaks. This study investigated physical contact as a potential method for reducing stress in Sparus aurata (gilthead seabream) and Diplodus sargus (white seabream). Two treatments were tested: one using an apparatus made of plastic rods and silicone bristles to provide physical contact and a control setup with rods but without the silicone bristles. The experiment lasted 21 days, with fish housed in groups of four per tank, each treatment with six replicates. Behavioural assessments were conducted through daily 30-minute video recordings, quantifying apparatus crossing, display, and aggressive interactions. Additionally, half of the fish underwent a stress test, where cortisol levels were measured to evaluate metabolic stress responses. The results highlighted species-specific behavioural and physiological responses to physical stimulation. While S. aurata mainly showed behavioural differences without significant physiological changes, D. sargus had the opposite pattern, with lower cortisol levels in the bristle treatment but no behavioural differences. These findings suggest that physical stimulation through bristles may have potential for aquaculture application although effects depend on the species, warranting further investigation into the mechanisms underlying these responses.