Movement behavior of aquaria fish: A perspective

Abstract

The movement of fish in the aquarium typically indicates their health. Slow movements are signs of disease or stress, while rapid movements are used by fish to escape predators and show aggression. However, a very limited number of scientific publications have focused on the movement behavior of fish in aquariums. Therefore, this article was aimed at filling the knowledge gap regarding fish movement in aquaria by covering the following aspects of fish movement in aquaria: the definition and types of fish movement; the factors influencing fish movement; the methods and tools used to measure and analyze fish movement; the applications and implications of studying fish movement for ethology, ecology, and aquaculture. The article also highlights the gaps and challenges in current knowledge and suggests some directions for future research (e.g., the building of robotic systems and the development of software like Kinovea^® for tracking fish movement that will be very important in the near future for ethological studies of fish). In conclusion, fish movement is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that reflects the interaction of fish with their environment, and more studies (based on robotics/AI) are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and consequences of fish movement in aquaria.