Table 1.
Fish welfare evaluation using the three outcome-based assessment categories with indicators of each. A grading system for the severity of each observed abnormality should also be taken into consideration for an overall welfare assessment of the fish or population of fish.
| Behavioral Indicators | Functional Indicators | Physiological Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| aggressive/submissive behavior | a. physical abnormalities | -hematology parameters |
| food intake/foraging | -buoyancy problems | -biochemistry parameters |
| schooling/shoaling behavior | -increased mucus production | -plasma cortisol levels |
| individual swimming behavior | -weight loss | -humoral antibodies |
| group swimming behavior | -increased respiratory rate | -heat shock proteins |
| abnormal behavior | -body abnormalities | -sex steroid levels |
| stereotypic/maladaptive behavior | -skin, fin and eye lesions | -expression of various genes |
| species-specific social behavioral | -changes in coloration | |
| lack of social display behavior | b. production parameters | |
| -decreased growth rates | ||
| -decreased reproduction | ||
| -decreased egg production | ||
| -decreased hatching rate | ||
| -low survival of juvenile fish | ||
| -reduced growth |