Citation

Author Website

https://sites.google.com/case.edu/rgoldfield/home

https://www.uhhospitals.org/doctors/Bonano-Patrick-1720654528

Abstract

Research on the behaviour of animals in zoos has been conducted for decades, and observations have provided information that has improved the psychological and social well-being of animals. However, research on fishes in zoos and aquariums seems to be lacking. Here, we assess the current state of research on fishes in zoos and aquariums by surveying the peer-reviewed literature. Our assessment differs from previous surveys in that we examine the taxonomic classes Chondrichthyes (sharks and rays) and Osteichthyes (bony fishes) separately. Our survey finds that bony fishes have been drastically underrepresented in zoo journals, more drastically than chondrichthyans, revealing an urgent need for zoos and aquariums to conduct research on the behaviour of the bony fishes in their care to ensure a positive state of psychological and social well-being. We conclude that data-driven analyses of fish behaviour could aid in the development of evidence-based practices that enhance the well-being of bony fishes in zoos and aquariums, just as they already do for terrestrial animals.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Author Biography

Ronald G. Oldfield is Senior Instructor in the Department of Biology at Case Western Reserve University and Affiliate of the Cleveland BioScience Alliance (Cleveland, OH). His research seeks to advance the wellbeing of aquarium fishes and the management of non-native introduced fishes. Website

Patrick E. Bonano is an Anesthesiologist Assistant at University Hospitals (Cleveland, OH). His specialties include the administration of general, neuraxial, and regional anesthesia for a variety of surgical services, including general, vascular, orthopedic, pediatric, and obstetric surgery. Website

DOI

10.51291/2377-7478.1826