Other Fish

Conspecific density and environmental complexity impact behaviour of turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri)

Fish models are essential for research in many biological and medical disciplines. With a typical lifespan of only 6 months, the turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) was recently established as a time- and cost-efficient model to facilitate whole-life and multigenerational studies...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Thoré, E. S. J., Brendonck, L., Pinceel, T. 2020. Conspecific density and environmental complexity impact behaviour of turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri). Fish Biology 97(5), 1448–1461.

Enriched environments enhance cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of Sparus aurata

Environmental enrichment is considered as a recommended tool to guarantee or improve the welfare of captive fish. This study demonstrates for the first time that structural environmental enrichment enhances cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of gilthead seabream (Sparus...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Arechavala-Lopez, P., Caballero-Froilán, J. C., Jiménez-García, M. et al. 2020. Enriched environments enhance cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of Sparus aurata. Scientific Reports 10, 11252.

Evaluation of an acute osmotic stress in European sea bass via skin mucus biomarkers

European sea bass is a marine teleost which can inhabit a broad range of environmental salinities. So far, no research has studied the physiological response of this fish to salinity challenges using modifications in skin mucus as a potential biological...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Ordóñez-Grande, B., Guerreiro, P. M., Sanahuja, I. et al. 2020. Evaluation of an acute osmotic stress in European sea bass via skin mucus biomarkers. Animals 10(9), 1546.

Getting to know Siamese fighting fish

This article describes the biology, husbandry, and care of Siamese fighting fish (also known as the betta fish) at Columbia University.

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & Management, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Barber, J. 2020. Getting to know Siamese fighting fish. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 8(3) (May/June), 26-27.

Head up displays are a submission signal in the group-living daffodil cichlid

Dominance hierarchies can reduce conflict within social groups and agonistic signals can help to establish and maintain these hierarchies. Behaviours produced by subordinates in response to aggression are often assumed to function as signals of submission, however, these behaviours may...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Ruberto, T., Talbot, J. L., Reddon, A. R. 2020. Head up displays are a submission signal in the group-living daffodil cichlid. Behavioural Processes 181, 104271.

Impact of environmental enrichment and social group size in the aggressiveness and foraging activity of Serrapinnus notomelas

Fish are widely used in scientific research, and many species are bred for ornamental purposes and human consumption. Despite the large number of fish kept in captivity, research on the welfare of these animals has only recently intensified. One commonly...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: da Silva, A., Lima, M. R., Meletti, P. C. et al. 2020. Impact of environmental enrichment and social group size in the aggressiveness and foraging activity of Serrapinnus notomelas. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 224, 104943.

Malawi cichlids: A colorful 4th R story

This article describes the successful rehoming of 60 Malawi cichlids from a vivarium at Stanford University to San Diego Zoo and the California Academy of Sciences.

Year Published: 2020Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Chu, D. 2020. Malawi cichlids: A colorful 4th R story. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 8(3) (May/June), 24-25.

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.