Knockdown of claudin-31 (cldn-31 KD) compromises gill epithelium integrity. Cldn-31 is a cortisol-responsive barrier protein in the gill epithelium. cldn-31 KD limits cortisol-induced gill epithelium tightening. Select cldn isoforms compensate for cldn-31 KD in the presence of cortisol. cldn-31 KD abolishes a cortisol-stimulated increase in gill Cldn-8d.