Pain Recognition in Fish

Lynne U Sneddon; Jonathan A C Roques

doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2022.07.002

Pain Recognition in Fish

Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2023 Jan;26(1):1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2022.07.002.

Authors

Lynne U Sneddon¹, Jonathan A C Roques²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicineragatan 18A, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden. Electronic address: Lynne.sneddon@bioenv.gu.se.
² Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicineragatan 18A, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden; SWEMARC, the Swedish Mariculture Research Center, University of Gothenburg, 18A, Gothenburg 413 90, Sweden.

PMID: 36402476
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2022.07.002

Abstract

Empirical evidence has demonstrated that fish experience pain, and so to ensure their good welfare, it is vital that we can recognize and assess pain. A range of general, behavioral, and physiologic indicators can be used when assessing pain in fish. Many of these can be used at the tank side and are termed operational welfare indicators, whereas some require further computer or laboratory analysis. Behavioral indicators are valid and have been shown to profoundly differ between nonpainful and painful treatments in fish. However, these are not universal, and species-specific differences exist in behavioral responses to pain.

Keywords: Fishes; Nociception; Pain; Rainbow trout; Stress; Welfare; Zebrafish.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animal Welfare*
Animals
Fishes / physiology
Pain Management / veterinary
Pain* / veterinary