Other Fish

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.

Insights from the judgement bias paradigm: Social group and tank size do not affect mental state in female guppies

Optimal holding conditions are key to animal welfare. How stressful husbandry is perceived by the animal can be determined via an assessment of an animal’s mental state – where it is positioned on the continuum between optimistic and pessimistic states...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Epping, J., Kotrschal, A., Kotrschal, S. D. 2025. Insights from the judgement bias paradigm: Social group and tank size do not affect mental state in female guppies. Journal of Fish Biology 106(1), 12–19.

Effects of social enrichment induced by different-sized groups and live bait on growth, aggressive behavior, physiology, and neurogenesis in juvenile Sebastes schlegelii (2025)

This study examined the effects of stress and social enrichment on fish neuroplasticity and antioxidant capacity, addressing growing concerns about fish welfare in aquaculture. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design comprising eight treatment groups was implemented to investigate...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Zhang, Z., Yu, X., Wu, Z. et al. 2025. Effects of social enrichment induced by different-sized groups and live bait on growth, aggressive behavior, physiology, and neurogenesis in juvenile Sebastes schlegelii. Fishes 10(5), 242.

Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L

The use of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) as cleaner fish in Atlantic salmon aquaculture has emerged as a promising solution to combat the issue of sea lice infestation, as they have proven effective under the right conditions. The aquaculture industry,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Østerø, S. L., Toro, J. D., Homrum, E. í et al. 2024. Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages. PLOS ONE 19(11), e0310924.

Life beyond a jar: Effects of tank size and furnishings on the behaviour and welfare of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Globally, Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) continue to be sold and kept in small, barren jars or tanks, with little concern for their welfare. This study aimed to examine the impact of housing size and furnishings (i.e. live plants, refuges)...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Clark-Shen, N., Tariel-Adam, J., Gajanur, A. et al. 2024. Life beyond a jar: Effects of tank size and furnishings on the behaviour and welfare of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). Animal Welfare 33, e62.

Structural enrichment promotes natural behaviour and welfare of captive gilthead seabream broodstock

The intensification of aquaculture practices in the last decade can compromise the welfare of farmed fish. However, one strategy to be considered to improve the welfare of captive fish is the implementation of structural enrichment in the rearing environment. The...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Oliveira, A. R., Cabrera-Álvarez, M. J., Soares, F. et al. 2024. Structural enrichment promotes natural behaviour and welfare of captive gilthead seabream broodstock. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 275, 106289.

Improving effectiveness of environmental enrichment: The role of light intensity in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) rearing

Environmental enrichment is a potential approach to enhance the fitness and survival of hatchery fish stocked for conservation purposes. Its effectiveness presumably depends not only on ecologically relevant features of physical enrichment but also on light condition applied. Despite the...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Li, Z., He, J., Zhou, S. et al. 2024. Improving effectiveness of environmental enrichment: The role of light intensity in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) rearing. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 281, 106421.

Early rearing of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with mild current enrichment modifies fish swimming behavior without altering their growth performance

The implementation of conditions that favor optimum swimming activity (e.g., suitable flow regimes), has been associated with enhanced growth and improved welfare in some farmed fish species. Despite the importance of European seabass in aquaculture, the potential beneficial effects of...

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

Citation: Magnoni, L. J., Cousin, X., Leguen, I. et al. 2025. Early rearing of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) with mild current enrichment modifies fish swimming behavior without altering their growth performance. Physiology & Behavior 289, 114742.