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. 2024 Dec 23:12:e18734.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.18734. eCollection 2024.

Enrichment effects on growth, health, and reproduction in a single clone of the asexual Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa

Debbie Cunningham  1 , Tyler Reich  2   3 , Theresa E Rizzi  4 , Chance Powell  2   3   5 , Ingo Schlupp  2   3
Affiliations

Enrichment effects on growth, health, and reproduction in a single clone of the asexual Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa

Debbie Cunningham et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

This study examines the impact of two types of environmental enrichment on the growth of the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa), a clonal fish species. We investigated the effects of two welfare-related enrichment factors: physical enrichment (presence of a halfpipe PVC and gravel substrate, E) and social enrichment (presence of visible neighbor fish, N). Fish were divided into four treatment groups: (1) both physical and social enrichment (EN), (2) no physical enrichment but social enrichment (nEN), (3) physical enrichment without social enrichment (EnN,), and (4) no enrichment (nEnN). Results showed that individuals, which received both types of enrichment, exhibited faster growth rates and lower early life mortality compared to the other groups, indicating improved health and welfare. However, this initial advantage did not persist into adulthood, suggesting that the benefits of enrichment may be stage specific. These findings highlight the importance of environmental factors in promoting welfare in a particular species, especially during early developmental stages. This study may have implications for early life-stage fish research indicating that some environmental factors may play a role in enhancing growth, reproductive competence, and reduced mortality. Enrichment effects on growth, health, and reproduction in a single clone of the asexual Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa.

Keywords: Laboratory fish; Poeciliid; Social and physical enrichment; Welfare.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Preference test tank image.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Increases in fish size (mm) by treatment through course of study.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Increases in fish mass (g) by treatment through course of study.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Comparative growth rates for early development (until day 180, blue), late development (from day 180 to day 300, green), and overall growth rate (from day 90 to day 300, mauve) for fish in different treatment groups.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Significant differences in intrinsic growth rates for early development (day 90–180) based on size by treatment group.
Figure 6
Figure 6. Significant differences in intrinsic growth rates for early development (day 90–180) based on mass by treatment group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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