Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.

The use of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) as cleaner fish in Atlantic salmon aquaculture has emerged as a promising solution to combat the issue of sea lice infestation, as they have proven effective under the right conditions. The aquaculture industry, however, is facing challenges in ensuring th...

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Main Authors: Sandra Ljósá Østerø, Jessica Di Toro, Eydna Í Homrum, Esbern J Patursson, Kirstin Eliasen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310924
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author Sandra Ljósá Østerø
Jessica Di Toro
Eydna Í Homrum
Esbern J Patursson
Kirstin Eliasen
author_facet Sandra Ljósá Østerø
Jessica Di Toro
Eydna Í Homrum
Esbern J Patursson
Kirstin Eliasen
author_sort Sandra Ljósá Østerø
collection DOAJ
description The use of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) as cleaner fish in Atlantic salmon aquaculture has emerged as a promising solution to combat the issue of sea lice infestation, as they have proven effective under the right conditions. The aquaculture industry, however, is facing challenges in ensuring the welfare and survival of lumpfish in salmon cages. Part of the welfare monitoring of lumpfish is the estimation of body condition. Previous research on standard length-weight relationships for lumpfish has primarily relied on the growth patterns of lumpfish in salmon cages, which might not align with the natural growth patterns of the fish. In this study, we argue for another perspective: using the standard weight of wild lumpfish to estimate the body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages. We assert that this approach aligns more closely with the natural growth pattern of the fish and may offer a more accurate representation of their condition. Our findings show significant differences in growth patterns between wild lumpfish, which show positive allometric growth, and those in salmon cages, which show slightly negative allometric growth. The findings underscore the importance of using appropriate length-weight relationships for lumpfish in aquaculture to ensure an accurate assessment of their body condition.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2024-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-9a59d7da132a4ef9ab99b3bde4d742e02024-11-19T05:31:38ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-011911e031092410.1371/journal.pone.0310924Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.Sandra Ljósá ØsterøJessica Di ToroEydna Í HomrumEsbern J PaturssonKirstin EliasenThe use of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) as cleaner fish in Atlantic salmon aquaculture has emerged as a promising solution to combat the issue of sea lice infestation, as they have proven effective under the right conditions. The aquaculture industry, however, is facing challenges in ensuring the welfare and survival of lumpfish in salmon cages. Part of the welfare monitoring of lumpfish is the estimation of body condition. Previous research on standard length-weight relationships for lumpfish has primarily relied on the growth patterns of lumpfish in salmon cages, which might not align with the natural growth patterns of the fish. In this study, we argue for another perspective: using the standard weight of wild lumpfish to estimate the body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages. We assert that this approach aligns more closely with the natural growth pattern of the fish and may offer a more accurate representation of their condition. Our findings show significant differences in growth patterns between wild lumpfish, which show positive allometric growth, and those in salmon cages, which show slightly negative allometric growth. The findings underscore the importance of using appropriate length-weight relationships for lumpfish in aquaculture to ensure an accurate assessment of their body condition.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310924
spellingShingle Sandra Ljósá Østerø
Jessica Di Toro
Eydna Í Homrum
Esbern J Patursson
Kirstin Eliasen
Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.
PLoS ONE
title Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.
title_full Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.
title_fullStr Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.
title_full_unstemmed Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.
title_short Using a length-weight relationship based on wild lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus L.) for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages.
title_sort using a length weight relationship based on wild lumpfish cyclopterus lumpus l for estimation of body condition of lumpfish in salmon cages
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310924
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