Salmonid Jumping and Playing: Potential Cultural and Welfare Implications

• Published in: Animals
• Main Author: Robert M. Fagen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017
• Subjects: fish jumping; play behavior; pleasure in animals; Veterinary medicine; SF600-1100; Zoology; QL1-991; Atlantic salmon
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7060042; https://doaj.org/article/66408993b3204403a28aa962a8570f61

Salmonids of several species and other fishes can jump into the air from the water. This behavior has been used in net pen culture applications to control parasitic sea lice. The reasons that salmonids jump remain a topic for speculation. Research on these behaviors has focused on Atlantic salmon in net pen culture in Northwest Europe. Jumping in salmonids is a heterogeneous behavioral category with diverse functional outcomes. Additional research is needed from broad perspectives spanning indigenous and institutional science, cultural wisdom, and ethological direct observation. In theory and in practice, it is interesting that some salmonid jumping behavior may be a form of play.