Influence of social enrichment on transport stress in fish: a behavioural approach
Ornamental fishes are among the most commonly owned companion animals in the world, however, the transportation process during acquisition can result in fishes being exposed to biotic and abiotic conditions which compromise welfare. While many studies have considered methods of improving welfare for food fishes through physical and social enrichment, few have considered how to […]
Influence of social enrichment on transport stress in fish: a behavioural approach
Ornamental fishes are among the most commonly owned companion animals in the world, however, the transportation process during acquisition can result in fishes being exposed to biotic and abiotic conditions which compromise welfare. While many studies have considered methods of improving welfare for food fishes through physical and social enrichment, few have considered how to […]
Effect of a water conditioner on ornamental fish behaviour during commercial transport
Millions of ornamental fishes undergo transport every year during which they experience high levels of stress and prolonged recovery. Studies aiming to refine welfare during transport have generally focused on maintaining water quality to minimise stress, with far less consideration of whether the addition of water conditioners containing herbal extracts to transport water could provide […]
Current issues in fish welfare
Human beings may affect the welfare of fish through fisheries, aquaculture and a number of other activities. There is no agreement on just how to weigh the concern for welfare of fish against the human interests involved, but ethical frameworks exist that suggest how this might be approached. Different definitions of animal welfare focus on […]
Why did the fish cross the tank? Objectively measuring the value of enrichment for captive fish
There has been very little research into the enrichment preferences of ornamental fish, even though there are billions of fish kept in captivity as pets and research animals. We used preference and motivational testing to compare the value of real and artificial plants to goldfish (n = 20, Carassius auratus). Motivational testing was conducted using […]