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Fishes
Special Issues
Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings
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Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings

A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Welfare, Health and Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 3821

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luis André Luz Barbas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Tropical Species Aquaculture Laboratory, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará, BR 316, Km 63 S/N, Castanhal 68740-970, PA, Brazil
Interests: fish anaesthetics; essential oils; antioxidant activity; fish physiology; oxidative stress; haematological analysis; bioactivity of plant extractives; fish behaviour; fish transport; aquaculture water quality
Dr. Marcelo Ferreira Torres

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Tropical Species Aquaculture Laboratory, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará, BR 316, Km 63 S/N, Castanhal 68740-970, PA, Brazil
Interests: ichthyology; fish anaesthesia; fish stress; ornamental fish farming
Dr. Martina Bortoletti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Legnaro, Italy
Interests: fish physiology and welfare; fish morphology and anatomy; fish stress response; aquaculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Fishes aims to explore the critical aspects of fish health and welfare in both aquaculture and research environments, highlighting advances in stress physiology, behavioural indicators, ethical considerations, and welfare assessment tools and the impacts of environmental, nutritional, and husbandry practices on fish well-being. This Special Issue focuses on developing innovative methodologies and practical solutions that promote sustainable aquaculture and ethical research practices while prioritising fish welfare. Within the existing literature, fish welfare has gained recognition as a multidisciplinary concern that bridges physiology, behaviour, and aquaculture production. While past research has provided valuable insights into the assessment and management of fish welfare, gaps remain in the standardisation of welfare indicators and the practical implementation of welfare-friendly methodologies. This Special Issue seeks to bridge theoretical knowledge with industry applications while incorporating emerging trends such as precision aquaculture, advanced monitoring technologies, and holistic welfare frameworks. We invite contributions from researchers in aquatic animal health, aquaculture, veterinary sciences, and related fields in order to foster discussions that enhance scientific knowledge, industry standards, and regulatory policies.

Prof. Dr. Luis André Luz Barbas
Dr. Marcelo Ferreira Torres
Dr. Martina Bortoletti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • advanced monitoring technologies
  • aquaculture sustainability
  • behavioural indicators
  • environmental and nutritional impact
  • ethical aquaculture
  • fish welfare
  • husbandry practices
  • precision aquaculture
  • stress physiology
  • welfare assessments

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1437 KB  
Article
Three Non-Invasive Tests Reveal Anxiety-like Responses During Food Anticipation in Rainbow Trout
by André Barany, Miguel Gómez-Boronat, Lisbeth Herrera-Castillo, María J. Delgado, Nuria de Pedro, Ana M. Larrán and Esther Isorna
Fishes 2025, 10(11), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110564 - 5 Nov 2025
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Anxiety-like behavior in fish is commonly assessed using non-invasive behavioral paradigms such as the Light/Dark preference, Novel Tank, and Open Field tests. In this study, we validated these three assays in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a species of commercial relevance, to [...] Read more.
Anxiety-like behavior in fish is commonly assessed using non-invasive behavioral paradigms such as the Light/Dark preference, Novel Tank, and Open Field tests. In this study, we validated these three assays in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a species of commercial relevance, to characterize their anxiety-related responses. To explore behavioral changes associated with feeding anticipation and satiety, we implemented a feeding schedule consisting of two daily meals and conducted behavioral tests at specific times before and after feeding. Trout exhibited clear patterns of scototaxis, geotaxis, and thigmotaxis, consistent with anxiety-like behavior described in other teleosts. Our results showed a significant increase in anxiety-like responses before feeding, coinciding with food anticipatory activity observed prior to expected feeding schedules, which diminished after food intake, as evidenced by each test individually. Moreover, multivariate analysis combining parameters from all three tests improved discrimination between anxious and relaxed fish. The behavioral states before and after feeding resembled anxiety-like and anxiolytic conditions reported in other species, supporting that food anticipatory activity reflects an anxious state in rainbow trout as well. These findings endorse using a multi-test behavioral battery to assess anxiety-like states and provide a framework for studying neurobiological mechanisms of emotional regulation related to feeding in teleosts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings)
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17 pages, 1438 KB  
Article
Impact of Stocking Density on Growth, Feeding Behavior, and Flesh Quality of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Coupled Aquaponic Systems
by Marco Birolo, Veronica Trabacchin, Paolo Sambo, Stefano Triolone and Carlo Nicoletto
Fishes 2025, 10(11), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110552 - 2 Nov 2025
Viewed by 984
Abstract
Stocking density is a key driver of performance in aquaponics, affecting both fish welfare and crop yield. This study evaluated the impact of three initial stocking densities (3.1, 4.1, and 6.2 kg/m3) on survival, growth, feeding behavior, carcass and filet quality [...] Read more.
Stocking density is a key driver of performance in aquaponics, affecting both fish welfare and crop yield. This study evaluated the impact of three initial stocking densities (3.1, 4.1, and 6.2 kg/m3) on survival, growth, feeding behavior, carcass and filet quality of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), as well as on the yield of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum), and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) cultivated in vertical coupled aquaponic units. A total of 184 fish (109 ± 28 g) were reared for 176 days in nine independent recirculating systems. Fish reared at the lowest density achieved the highest final live weight and specific growth rate, with a better feed conversion ratio, whereas performance declined at higher densities despite similar survival rates. Feeding behavior was generally consistent across groups, although feed intake rate was reduced at the highest density. Carcass and filet quality traits were unaffected by stocking density. Vegetable yield was enhanced by higher fish biomass, with significant increases in lettuce production and a positive trend for basil. These findings indicate that intermediate stocking densities may represent the most sustainable compromise, ensuring fish welfare and acceptable growth while supporting efficient plant production in largemouth bass–based aquaponics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings)
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16 pages, 589 KB  
Article
Use of Essential Oil from Aloysia citrodora Paláu in Anesthesia and Simulated Transport of Tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier 1826) at Two Different Cargo Densities
by Orlando Pinto de Almeida Castro Neto, Patrick Jordan Correia-Silva, Isabelle Santos Silva, Aline dos Anjos Santos, Aline da Silva Rocha, Ricardo David Couto, Erick dos Santos Silva, Denise Schmidt and Carlos Eduardo Copatti
Fishes 2025, 10(9), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10090448 - 3 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 684
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of essential oil from Aloysia citrodora (EOAC) (48% citral and 19% limonene) for use in anesthesia and simulated transport of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) juveniles at two cargo densities (CDs). Concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 25, 50, [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of essential oil from Aloysia citrodora (EOAC) (48% citral and 19% limonene) for use in anesthesia and simulated transport of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) juveniles at two cargo densities (CDs). Concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 µL EOAC L−1 were tested for use in anesthesia induction and recovery, while 0 (control) and 20 µL EOAC L−1 were tested for their effects on the ventilatory rate (VR) and during 6 h simulated transport at a low CD (LCD, 65 g L−1) and standard CD (SCD, 130 g L−1). Fish were anesthetized at EOAC concentrations above 50 µL L−1, with the optimal anesthesia (141.83 s) and recovery times (160.00 s) at 250 µL L−1. The water unionized ammonia was lowest in the EOAC-LCD group. Using 20 µL EOAC L−1 during transport minimized changes in the hematological parameters (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total leukocytes, and heterophils) and reduced the liver aspartate aminotransferase activity at both CDs. Transport at an SCD, regardless of EOAC use, increased the plasma glucose, hepatic glycogen, and alanine transaminase activity. The VR was higher with 20 µL EOAC L−1 than in the control group. In conclusion, our findings confirm that 20 µL EOAC L−1 can effectively be used to transport tambaqui for up to 6 h without impairing fish health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings)
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Review

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30 pages, 1926 KB  
Review
Noise Sources and Music Stimuli in Teleost Fish Aquaculture Systems—A Review
by Bianka Tóth, Péter Bársony and Szilvia Kusza
Fishes 2025, 10(11), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110565 - 5 Nov 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
A less-explored stressor in intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) is noise exposure. The noise profile of RASs, including the level and type of noise sources, can influence fish production. In such systems, creating an environment that enhances fish performance via improved welfare is [...] Read more.
A less-explored stressor in intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) is noise exposure. The noise profile of RASs, including the level and type of noise sources, can influence fish production. In such systems, creating an environment that enhances fish performance via improved welfare is recommended. One possible environmental enrichment method is the use of music. This study aimed to review the effects of acoustic noise as an environmental stressor and music as a potential performance-enhancing tool in teleost fish. As complete elimination of sound sources is not feasible, technological solutions may help improve acoustic environments by considering the perceptual abilities of fish and potential positive responses to music. It is advisable to design systems in which acoustic stimuli have beneficial effects on fish welfare and productivity. Given the limited existing research, further studies are needed to better understand the impact of noise and music in RASs. Insights from such research could lead to welfare improvements and increased economic yields in intensive aquaculture, a critical element of future global food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Health and Welfare in Aquaculture and Research Settings)
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