How should we monitor welfare in the ornamental fish trade?

Jones, Megan; Alexander, Mhairi E.; Snellgrove, Donna; Smith, Peter; Bramhall, Sam; Carey, Peter; Henriquez, Fiona L.; McLellan, Iain; Sloman, Katherine A.

doi:10.1111/raq.12624

Cited by 18 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 252 publications

(354 reference statements)

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“…Accompanying this twofold goal, growing awareness has been paid to fish welfare (Browman et al, 2019; Sloman et al, 2019). In aquaculture, fish are exposed to a variety of stressors and environments (Jones et al, 2021) which can have significant impacts on the functional status of individuals and affect economic outcomes (Toni et al, 2019). To prevent these effects and support fish welfare, different strategies have been proposed with the use of anaesthetic agents playing a prominent role (Schroeder et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A meta‐analytic review of monoterpene for fish anaesthesia

et al. 2023

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The use of anaesthetic agents has been increasing to address the welfare needs of different fish species in scientific and aquaculture practices. MS‐222 is the most used synthetic anaesthetic but some limitations and side effects have been reported. Natural substances have been used as potential substitutes with clove oil playing an important role due to its eugenol content. Yet, other monoterpenes have shown anaesthetic properties in different fish species. As such, a quantitative assessment has been conducted to explicitly relate and summarise the use of monoterpenes with described anaesthetic properties in fish. A combined PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed Central and Europe PMC electronic database search was performed, from January 2002 to August 2022, following the PRISMA guidelines. Out of 1555 articles retrieved from the literature search, 30 English reports met the criteria for inclusion in the meta‐analysis through a generic inverse‐variance method (random‐effects model) and according to the fish age. The findings show a total of 10 different monoterpenes with high homogeneity and effectiveness in inducing anaesthesia and recovery according to the fish anaesthetic criteria. Further subgroup analysis showed these effects were independent of fish age. Meta‐regression of the included studies revealed an inverse linear association between anaesthesia induction and recovery time and water bath temperature while no further correlation was found with other confounding factors (body weight, water pH and dissolved oxygen levels). Although further studies will be required, this meta‐analysis provides robust evidence that different monoterpenes serve as an attractive and effective alternative for fish anaesthesia although water bath temperature also played an important role in anaesthesia outcome.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A meta‐analytic review of monoterpene for fish anaesthesia

et al. 2023

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“…Ornamental fish aquaculture is gaining an increasing number of followers every year owing to its high profitability compared with consumer fish aquaculture. It is estimated that the market value of this animal production sector is $15–20 trillion/per annum and will continue to grow rapidly in the coming years [ 2 , 3 ]. This branch of aquaculture includes not only the reproduction of aquarium fish but also those that are caught in the wild.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Morphology of the Digestive Tract of African Bush Fish (Ctenopoma acutirostre) and Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) Inhabiting Asian and African Freshwaters

Adamek‐Urbańska

Kamaszewski

Wiechetek

et al. 2023

Animals

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Anabantidae is a large and diverse group of fish cultured both under aquaculture conditions and as a hobby. These fish share a common structural feature in the form of an additional respiratory organ. Despite the enormous availability of these fish worldwide, little is known about their feeding preferences in husbandry and their influence on homeostasis under both industrial and domestic conditions. This study describes, for the first time, the structure of the digestive tracts of two Anabantoidei fishes: African bush fish (Ctenopoma acutirostre) and paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis). The overall structure of the digestive tract and its histological structure were analyzed and compared in both fish species. Physiological predispositions indicated a predominance of omnivorous fish traits in M. opercularis in contrast to C. acutirostre, which has several morphological traits indicating greater adaptation to carnivory, particularly ichthyophagy. The results obtained will allow further research to be conducted in the future to optimize the nutrition and feeding of these fish and to develop appropriate dietary recommendations.

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“…However, even in salmonid aquaculture—where genetically informed selection strategies are standard—the utility of behavioral biomarkers remains relatively unexplored [but see ( 48 , 49 ) for important exceptions]. Moreover, growing recognition of stress-related problems in the pet trade ( 50 , 51 ) has prompted the suggestion that improved understanding of natural behavior and ecology could greatly benefit welfare in ornamental species ( 52 ). That the same suggestion has been made with respect to zebrafish housed in scientific establishments ( 53 ) highlights the point that behavioral ecological perspectives should be valuable across aquaculture sectors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploiting animal personality to reduce chronic stress in captive fish populations

2022

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Chronic stress is a major source of welfare problems in many captive populations, including fishes. While we have long known that chronic stress effects arise from maladaptive expression of acute stress response pathways, predicting where and when problems will arise is difficult. Here we highlight how insights from animal personality research could be useful in this regard. Since behavior is the first line of organismal defense when challenged by a stressor, assays of shy-bold type personality variation can provide information about individual stress response that is expected to predict susceptibility to chronic stress. Moreover, recent demonstrations that among-individual differences in stress-related physiology and behaviors are underpinned by genetic factors means that selection on behavioral biomarkers could offer a route to genetic improvement of welfare outcomes in captive fish stocks. Here we review the evidence in support of this proposition, identify remaining empirical gaps in our understanding, and set out appropriate criteria to guide development of biomarkers. The article is largely prospective: fundamental research into fish personality shows how behavioral biomarkers could be used to achieve welfare gains in captive fish populations. However, translating potential to actual gains will require an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the expertise and viewpoints of researchers working across animal behavior, genetics, and welfare science.

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How should we monitor welfare in the ornamental fish trade?

Cited by 18 publications

References 252 publications

A meta‐analytic review of monoterpene for fish anaesthesia

A meta‐analytic review of monoterpene for fish anaesthesia

Comparative Morphology of the Digestive Tract of African Bush Fish (Ctenopoma acutirostre) and Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) Inhabiting Asian and African Freshwaters

Exploiting animal personality to reduce chronic stress in captive fish populations

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