Behavioral Response of Multiple Rainbow Trout to Vertically Suspended Environmental Enrichment

Abstract

Vertically suspended environmental enrichment improves the rearing performance of fish during aquaculture production, but the reason for this improvement is unclear. This study documented the behavior of groups of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as indicated by their in-tank location preferences, in response to vertically suspended structure. The location of both experienced and naïve fish (with or without prior exposure to vertically suspended enrichment) in both barren and enriched tanks was recorded. In-tank locations were significantly different for experienced fish in both barren and enriched tanks but were similar for naïve fish. When observations were combined for both the presence and absence of enrichment, naïve fish locations were significantly different from experienced fish. Locations were also significantly different for all fish in enriched compared to barren tanks. These results indicate that trout location is influenced by the presence of vertically suspended environmental enrichment and that learning from prior experience with enrichment occurs.