Fish

Nondestructive larval genotyping of Danio rerio for mitochondrial and nuclear DNA genetics

The rapid advancement of nuclear and mitochondrial genomic editing tools has created an urgent need for efficient, nonlethal larval genotyping methods in zebrafish (Danio rerio) research. This study optimizes and validates a nondestructive proteinase K digestion method for mitochondrial and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Mitra, K. S., Holmberg, S. R., Mota, M. et al. 2025. Nondestructive larval genotyping of Danio rerio for mitochondrial and nuclear DNA genetics. Zebrafish 22(6), 197–207.

Temperature-dependence of early development of zebrafish and the consequences for laboratory use and animal welfare

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are widely used in biological research, but the impact of incubation temperatures on developmental endpoints is still insufficiently studied. This study quantifies developmental differences in zebrafish embryos incubated at 26°C and 28°C, focusing on key endpoints (heartbeat...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Miller, A., Schröder, K. L., Braun, K. E. et al. 2025. Temperature-dependence of early development of zebrafish and the consequences for laboratory use and animal welfare. PLOS ONE 20(12), e0340193.

EPI-DOM framework for fish welfare assessment: External and internal indicators for tilapia in aquaculture

Introduction: The EPI-DOM framework proposes an applied epidemiological approach to evaluate and manage tilapia welfare in laboratory and production systems, integrating animal-based indicators with risk factors organized into operational domains (management, environment, interaction). Methods: An integrative review (2000–2025) was conducted...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Tilapia

Citation: Martínez-Yáñez, R. 2026. EPI-DOM framework for fish welfare assessment: External and internal indicators for tilapia in aquaculture. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Simple life, simple minds? How habitat simplification in aquatic ecosystems shape fish cognition

This narrative review synthesises current knowledge on the effects of habitat complexity, defined as the variation in physical structures within ecosystems, on fish cognition, brain morphology, and personality. Globally, habitat complexity is declining through a process known as habitat simplification,...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Natural Behavior, PersonalityAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish, Salmon, Shark & Ray, Tilapia, Trout, Zebrafish

Citation: Klinke, A., Brown, C. 2026. Simple life, simple minds? How habitat simplification in aquatic ecosystems shape fish cognition. Animal Cognition 29(1), 23.

Triploid Atlantic salmon are physiologically disadvantaged at larger body sizes

Triploid Atlantic salmon are sterile and used in aquaculture to prevent escapees from breeding in the wild. Meanwhile, triploids suffer poor animal welfare in the latter marine growth phase. Previous experiments have mainly tested smaller fish, and physiological differences between...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Fish, Salmon

Citation: Hvas, M., Morin, A., Hansen, T. J. 2025. Triploid Atlantic salmon are physiologically disadvantaged at larger body sizes. Scientific Reports 16(1), 770.

Biologging assessment of behavioural and physiological responses of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during stress challenges

Stress significantly impacts fish welfare, and for a comprehensive evaluation, welfare assessment requires an integrative approach. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the physiological and behavioural responses of European sea bass subjected to swimming and crowding...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Hoyo-Alvarez, E., Tomàs-Ferrer, J., Lankheet, M. J. et al. 2025. Biologging assessment of behavioural and physiological responses of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during stress challenges. Scientific Reports 15(1), 42051.

Exploring the impact of acute solvent exposure on larval zebrafish behaviour

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are commonly used to test the impact of pharmacological and toxicological compounds. Larval zebrafish are extensively used because of high throughput procedures allowing simultaneous behavioural measurement in 24-, 48-, or 96-well plates. Often solvents are used as...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Hagen, E. V., Harper, M. M. M., Zhang, Y. et al. 2025. Exploring the impact of acute solvent exposure on larval zebrafish behaviour. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 19.

Environmental enrichment influences the relationship between lateralization and neophobia in zebrafish larvae

Neophobia, the aversion to novelty, is a conserved survival trait that influences individuals’ decision-making. In many species, juveniles showed less avoidance of novelty than adults, likely due to their limited experience and their need to gather environmental information. A challenging...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Gjinaj, G., Gatto, E., Dadda, M. 2025. Environmental enrichment influences the relationship between lateralization and neophobia in zebrafish larvae. Animal Cognition 29(1), 3.

Fish welfare in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS): The imperative for environmental enrichment (EE)

Aquaculture has become the fastest-growing food production sector worldwide, recently surpassing wild-capture fisheries in total output. This rapid expansion underscores the need to ensure sustainability through robust animal welfare standards. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are increasingly adopted due to their...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish, Salmon, Tilapia, Trout, Zebrafish

Citation: Fruscella, L., Passantino, A., Kotzen, B. 2026. Fish welfare in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS): The imperative for environmental enrichment (EE). Animals 16(4).

Spatial distribution and activity patterns as welfare indicators in response to water quality changes in European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

In aquaculture, fish are exposed to unavoidable stressors that can be detrimental for their health and welfare. However, welfare in farmed fish can be difficult to assess, and, so far, no standardized test has been universally accepted as a welfare...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Alfonso, S., Sadoul, B., Cousin, X. et al. 2020. Spatial distribution and activity patterns as welfare indicators in response to water quality changes in European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 226, 104974.