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The ornamental fish trade involves multiple phases, from acquisition—whether through wild capture or aquaculture—to the final destination, often including long transport routes. Throughout this trade, fish encounter several stressors like handling, improper maintenance methods, high or inadequate stocking densities, poor water quality, and mechanical disturbances during transport. The varying levels of care provided by aquarists also influence the long-term welfare of these animals, with many fish being treated more as ornaments rather than sentient beings. Worsening these issues, there is a lack of scientifically grounded guidance for hobbyists and caregivers, important gaps in legislation concerning fish welfare, and limited oversight in the ornamental trade. Nevertheless, some international organizations and grassroots projects have been working to promote responsible practices and disseminate educational resources. However, the need for efficient welfare standards, legislation, and comprehensive information for all stakeholders involved in this sector remains critical. Here, we synthesize the problems in the ornamental fish trade and suggest some solutions to reduce the impacts of management practices on the welfare of these fish.

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) is the etiological agent of herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis disease (HVHND), which causes severe mortality in ornamental goldfish (Carassius auratus), crucian carp (Carassius auratus), and gibel/prussian carp (Carassius gibelio). Quick and hassle-free point-of-care detection of CyHV-2 is vital for the maintenance of ornamental fish health. In this manuscript, we describe the development of a rapid and sensitive RPA (recombinase polymerase amplification) assay, coupled with lateral flow dipsticks (LFD), that can achieve sensitive diagnosis of CyHV-2 in goldfish within 20 min at 36 °C with the satisfactory detection limit of 102 gene copies per reaction. This is the first report wherein major capsid protein (MCP) of CyHV-2 was targeted for RPA-LFD assay development. The assay did not show any cross-reactivity with other viral pathogens like cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV), infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), and viral nervous necrosis virus (VNNV). Furthermore, screening of CyHV-2 infection in CyHV-2-infected goldfish did not yield any false positive/negative results. In short, the RPA-LFD assay developed in this study presents a simple, rapid, and sensitive method for point-of-care diagnosis of CyHV-2, especially under resource-limited conditions.

Most research into the health benefits of human-animal interaction has focused on species that interact physically with humans, such as dogs. This may be unsuitable for certain populations for reasons including accessibility and the risk of negative consequences to both the person and the animal. However, some research has associated viewing fish in aquariums with positive well-being outcomes; as there is no physical contact with the animal, this form of interaction carries less risk. At present, little is known about the specific benefits of human-fish interaction. To explore current evidence relating to the psychological and physiological benefits of interacting with fish in aquariums. Systematic searches were conducted to identify relevant primary research of any design. All forms of interaction were considered, including keeping fish as companion animals and fish aquarium-based interventions. \"Non-live\" alternatives, such as videos, were also considered. This review was conducted according to a registered protocol (PROSPERO ID: CRD42018090466). Nineteen studies were included. Two provided tentative evidence that keeping home aquaria is associated with relaxation. The remaining studies involved novel interactions with fish in home or public aquariums. Outcomes relating to anxiety, relaxation and/or physiological stress were commonly assessed; evidence was mixed with both positive and null findings. Preliminary support was found for effects on mood, pain, nutritional intake and body weight, but not loneliness. All studies had methodological issues and risk of bias was either high or unclear. Review findings suggest that interacting with fish in aquariums has the potential to benefit human well-being, although research on this topic is currently limited. Future research should aim to address gaps in the evidence, such as whether and how the type of human-fish interaction can influence well-being outcomes. Researchers should also aim to address the methodological concerns highlighted in this review.

Businesses in the pet trade collect and transport many aquatic species around the globe, and some of these individuals are released into new habitats. Some jurisdictions have introduced laws intended to regulate this trade, but these regulations have rarely had the desired effects. Laws regarding pets and the pet trade are often poorly communicated, poorly enforced, and not aligned with hobbyists’ beliefs. Consequently, some laws may increase the number of unwanted introductions instead of decreasing them. A significant change in approach is needed, involving far greater communication with scientists, administrations, politicians, the pet industry, and pet owners, promoting euthanasia of unwanted pets rather than release, and the creation and promotion “white lists” of low risk species that can be sold in the pet trade.

Aquatic envenomations may cause severe tissue injury, neurologic morbidity, and even mortality among those whose leisure and/or occupational activities expose them to marine and freshwater animals. The Motoro ray, or (also known as an ocellate river stingray) is endemic to freshwater tributaries throughout Brazil, and is a frequent source of severe envenoming of local fisherman and those residing near waterways. Local wound management including immersion in warm water, wound cleaning and debridement, as well as antibiotics are mainstays of treatment, as are local anesthetics (e.g., nerve blocks) and systemic opioid analgesics; however, high-quality evidence supporting such interventions is lacking. We present a case of a Canadian who was envenomed by his pet Motoro ray, and describe his clinical presentation and evolution of symptoms over the subsequent months. With the ever-increasing trade of exotic wildlife, clinicians, public health authorities, and those within the broader wildlife regulatory ecosystem should be attuned for unanticipated adverse consequences, such as those described herein. We further situate this case within the existing published literature around this particular species of ray, which is not typically considered an ornamental fish.

Sequencing batch reactors are efficient wastewater treatment systems, however, they are not adapted to treat aquaria. We aimed to compare the efficacies of a modified single-tank sequencing batch reactor (SSBR) and a regular overflow filtration system. Zebrafish were maintained in an acrylic aquarium connected to an SSBR or in a tank connected to a regular overflow filtration system for 27 weeks. Water change or aeration using air stone was not performed. The water quality in both groups was within the normal range until 26 weeks, after which the nitrite and nitrate levels increased. The average temperature was, 29.46 ± 0.71°C and 29.78 ± 0.70°C; pH, 8.22 ± 0.14 and 8.20 ± 0.12; ammonia levels, 0.1 ± 0.001 and 0.01 ± 0.005; nitrite level, 0.04 ± 0.06 and 0.05 ± 0.09 mg/l; and ammonia removal rate, 0.12 and 0.12 mg/l/h, in the control and SSBR groups, respectively. The average dissolved oxygen concentration was 5.81 ± 0.48 and 6.18 ± 0.50 mg/l; and the average nitrate level was 5.59 ± 6.47 and 10.17 ± 15.31 mg/l, in the control and SSBR groups, respectively. Beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria, diatoms, nematodes and ciliated protozoa were found in the biological reactors. The SSBR provides a long-lasting, healthy aquarium environment with optimal aeration and a diverse microbial community, while enabling the culture of a small number of fish. Zebrafish are common experimental animals in clinical research, especially in veterinary and medical science. This modified system could be beneficial for small-scale animal laboratories with limited budgets.

Channa aurantimaculata, Musikasinthorn, an endemic murrel of Brahmaputra basin is highly regarded as both food and ornamental fish. Five stages of gonadal development were observed in male and female fish. The sex-ratio was significantly male-biased (M: F= 1:0.5). 50% maturity (M ) for male and female was observed at 26-30 and 21-25cm respectively. However, both sexes were found to attain 100% maturity at 36-40 cm size group. The highest value of GSR (8.23±0.078) in females was observed in April. C. aurantimaculata is total spawner, breeding season is fairly prolonged starting from March-April and continuing up to July-August depending on rainfall pattern in a particular year. The species is moderately fecund, the absolute fecundity ranging from 1189 to 7642. Correlation coefficient (r) indicated a close relation between fecundity and ovary weight than body weight or body length. 'Pairing' was noticed among brooders at the onset of pre-monsoonal rain. Captive breeding of the species was successful and about 200 spawn were raised to fingerling stage.