Piscine Enrichment - A Practical Application

D. Goodrich

Owner: Fins, Fur and Feathers, LLC

Washington , USA

theparrotlady@earthlink.net

Throughout the field of animal husbandry, the term enrichment has been widely used. It has been defined by the AZA in 1999 as, “ a process in which changes to the structures and husbandry practices are made with the goal of increasing behavioral choices available to animals and drawing out the species-appropriate behaviors and abilities, thus enhancing animal welfare.”(AZA, BAG) Within the Aquarium Community, discussions have taken place trying to define and/or come up with programs that could enrich piscine enclosures. One anecdotal study on the feasibility of enrichment in piscine enclosures was conducted at Rainforest Café, Seattle for a period of five years. Trends noted within the data collected showed promising, preliminary results. It was determined, from the changes in the fish’s behavior and subsequent data, that enrichment played a role. Given the preliminary data, the discussions and definitions, we will then propose practical, applicable scenarios where enrichment could be applied.