Other Fish

Habituation with apparatus and group testing improves assessment of fish preferences

Preference tests are commonly used to assess fish behavior and cognition in several research fields. This study aimed to investigate how fish perform in a preference test involving extended habituation to the apparatus, which was expected to reduce stress. We...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Behavioral & Cognitive TestingAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Varracchio, C., Paci, F. P., Bertolucci, C. et al. 2025. Habituation with apparatus and group testing improves assessment of fish preferences. Journal of Fish Biology 107(4), 1149–1158.

Non-invasive ultrasound measurements for determination of hepato-somatic index in Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides)

Hepato-somatic index (HSI) is widely used to indicate fish body condition and level of energy reserves related to feeding/physiology and reproduction. HSI is traditionally obtained by dissection and measurement of liver mass versus body mass, but ultrasound technology may provide...

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

Citation: Schilling, J. W., Hussey, N. E., Hedges, K. J. et al. 2025. Non-invasive ultrasound measurements for determination of hepato-somatic index in Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). Journal of Fish Biology 107(4), 1313–1322.

Environmental enrichment with aquatic plants: Impact of the environment of choice on performance of bettas

This study aimed to evaluate the choice between environments with aquatic plants and the impact of the environment of choice on the performance of bettas (Betta splendens). First, the choice between environments with natural and artificial plants was evaluated. Adult...

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

Citation: Bender, M., Oliveira dos Santos Neves, N., Regina Delziovo, F. et al. 2025. Environmental enrichment with aquatic plants: Impact of the environment of choice on performance of bettas. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 28(4), 740–749.

Recovery of male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) after overland shipping

Ornamental fish shipped by road or rail may spend days in transit without food, leading to a reduction in somatic growth after transportation and during acclimatization. In the present study, a time-series (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Thongprajukaew, K., Malawa, S., Poolthajit, S. et al. 2025. Recovery of male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) after overland shipping. Animals 15(14), 2156.

How does food enrichment and the presence of visitors affect the behaviour of two species of freshwater fish in a public aquarium?

Food-based environmental enrichment (EE) is a valuable strategy for stimulating foraging behaviour in fish under human care, as it increases the challenge of food acquisition and encourages prolonged engagement in this activity. Curimbas (Prochilodus argenteus) and pacus (Myleus micans) are...

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

Citation: Silva, A. A., Azevedo, C. S. de, Cipreste, C. F. et al. 2025. How does food enrichment and the presence of visitors affect the behaviour of two species of freshwater fish in a public aquarium? Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 6(3), 35.

Editorial: Fish welfare in aquaculture and research—where are we going?

Rapid technical developments are taking place in aquaculture, and its production is increasing globally every year by more than 4%. Research is the necessary foundation for politics to define reasonable regulations and recommend guidelines for aquaculture, but also the basis...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Stocking Density, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish, Salmon, Trout, Zebrafish

Citation: Pietsch, C. 2025. Editorial: Fish welfare in aquaculture and research—where are we going? Animals 15(16), 2367.

Pre-transport salt baths mitigate physiological stress and tissue damage in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings: evidence from multi-biomarker assessment and histopathology

Effective transport strategies are critical for the survival and welfare of juvenile Ictalurus punctatus, but the effects of pre-transport salt bath treatments remain uncertain. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effects of pre-transport salt bath acclimation at 0‰ (S1),...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Huang, G., Li, H., Wang, J. et al. 2025. Pre-transport salt baths mitigate physiological stress and tissue damage in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings: Evidence from multi-biomarker assessment and histopathology. Animals 15(15), 2249.

Current research and guidelines for euthanasia in laboratory fish with a focus on fathead minnows

This paper reviews the methods and approaches used to humanely anesthetize (render unconscious) and or euthanize (kill) laboratory fish (in research settings), with a specific focus on the fathead minnow. We surveyed the literature (333 scientific studies published 2004–2021) to...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Lavalle, C., Clarence, S., Khan, H. et al. 2025. Current research and guidelines for euthanasia in laboratory fish with a focus on fathead minnows. Laboratory Animals 59(3), 319–331.

Insights into thermal sensitivity: Effects of elevated temperature on growth, metabolic rate, and stress responses in Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus)

The Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) is a cold-water fish with potential for aquaculture diversification. To unveil the mechanisms underlying the compromised growth in Atlantic wolffish when reared at higher temperatures, we investigated the relationship between temperature, growth rate, aerobic capacity,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Hinchcliffe, J., Roques, J. A. C., Ekström, A. et al. 2025. Insights into thermal sensitivity: Effects of elevated temperature on growth, metabolic rate, and stress responses in Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus). Journal of Fish Biology 106(1), 61–74.

An adaptable, user-friendly score sheet to monitor welfare in experimental fish

Fish are increasingly used as experimental animals across research fields. Currently, around a quarter of all experimental animals used are fish. Less than 20% of these are standard model species. Welfare assessments for experimental fish are in their infancy compared...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish, Salmon, Shark & Ray, Tilapia, Trout, Zebrafish

Citation: Flueck-Giraud, M., Schmidt-Posthaus, H., Bergadano, A. et al. 2025. An adaptable, user-friendly score sheet to monitor welfare in experimental fish. Laboratory Animals 59(2), 226–241.