Enrichment in a Fish Polyculture: Does it Affect Fish Behaviour and Development of Only One Species or Both?

Physical enrichment of structures has been used for the last decades in aquaculture to improve fish production and welfare. Until now, this practiced monoculture but not polyculture. In study, we developed a polyculture two freshwater species (pikeperch sterlet) recirculated systems (tank 2.4 m3) with or without physical enrichment. Two types were used: cover plank on part tank decreasing light intensity vertical pipes modifying water flow. The experiment was conducted triplicate three-month period juvenile fishes (143 ± 41 g 27.3 2.2 cm pikeperch 133 21 32.8 1.6 sterlet). Behavioural (space occupation abnormal behaviours) morphological (total length, final weight, Fulton condition factor, coefficient variation percentage biomass gain specific growth rate) traits measured. changed their space showed preference low areas. Sterlet also occupation: they did use occurred mainly There no difference frequency behaviours sterlet between sets (with enrichment). statistical all parameters matter rearing modality.