Clark-Shen Naomi, Tariel-Adam Juliette, Gajanur Anya, Brown Culum
Independent researcher, Singapore.
Macquarie University, School of Natural Sciences, Australia.
Anim Welf. 2024 Dec 23;33:e62. doi: 10.1017/awf.2024.67. eCollection 2024.
Globally, Siamese fighting fish () continue to be sold and kept in small, barren jars or tanks, with little concern for their welfare. This study aimed to examine the impact of housing size and furnishings (i.e. live plants, refuges) on the behaviour of Siamese fighting fish, to understand optimal tank conditions. Thirteen male Siamese fighting fish were rotated between five different housing conditions: 'jar' (1.5 L); 'small' (3.3 L); 'medium' (5.6 L); 'large' (19.3 L); and 'large-barren' (19.3 L). All tanks had gravel and furnishings, except the large-barren tank which was devoid of these. Overall, tank size influenced behaviour. Fish were significantly more active and spent significantly less time resting and performing 'abnormal' behaviours (hovering and stereotypic swimming), in the large tank compared to the smaller tanks. Tank furnishings also influenced behaviour. Fishes in the large-barren tank performed more 'abnormal' behaviours (hovering, stereotypic swimming, interaction with the walls), compared to the large tank which had furnishings. These results suggest that the small, barren jars and tanks that Siamese fighting fish are often housed in are detrimental to their welfare, and larger, furnished tanks are more optimal. Behavioural variations were observed between the fish in this study, highlighting individual fish personality. We recommend a minimum tank size of 5.6 L for the display and sale of Siamese fighting fish, and tanks larger than this for keeping Siamese fighting fish at home. All tanks should contain gravel, live plants and refuges.
在全球范围内，暹罗斗鱼仍被售卖并饲养在狭小、贫瘠的罐子或水箱中，几乎无人关心它们的福利状况。本研究旨在探究饲养空间大小和装饰（即活植物、藏身之处）对暹罗斗鱼行为的影响，以了解最佳水箱条件。13条雄性暹罗斗鱼在五种不同的饲养条件之间轮换：“罐子”（1.5升）；“小水箱”（3.3升）；“中水箱”（5.6升）；“大水箱”（19.3升）；以及“大而贫瘠的水箱”（19.3升）。除了大而贫瘠的水箱没有这些外，所有水箱都有砾石和装饰。总体而言，水箱大小会影响行为。与较小的水箱相比，鱼在大水箱中明显更活跃，休息和表现出“异常”行为（悬停和刻板游泳）的时间明显更少。水箱装饰也会影响行为。与有装饰的大水箱相比，大而贫瘠的水箱中的鱼表现出更多的“异常”行为（悬停、刻板游泳、与水箱壁互动）。这些结果表明，暹罗斗鱼经常被饲养在其中的狭小、贫瘠的罐子和水箱对它们的福利有害，而更大、有装饰的水箱则更理想。在本研究中的鱼之间观察到了行为差异，突出了个体鱼的个性。我们建议展示和售卖暹罗斗鱼的水箱最小尺寸为5.6升，而在家饲养暹罗斗鱼则需要更大的水箱。所有水箱都应包含砾石、活植物和藏身之处。
