Title:

Construction of a Controlled Multi-Flow Recirculating Aquatic System for Behavioral and Growth Studies in Juvenile Fish

Exercise may play a key role in fish physiology, yet its effects on growth, metabolism, behavior, brain health, and flesh quality remains understudied. This study investigates whether 1) fish require a minimum level of exercise to thrive and 2) whether providing flow choice enhances growth performance, brain health, and fish welfare in laboratory and aquaculture settings. A custom housing system was developed consisting of six tanks with independently controlled water velocities. This design enables evaluation of how velocity preferences evolve and are maintained, and how voluntary exercise influences biological outcomes. System development identified several areas for improvement, including replacing ball valves with globe valves for finer flow control, adding a third connecting tube between choice tanks, installing mesh barriers to guide fish into preferred flow zones, and modifying outflow using larger PVC piping or a trough system. Integration of mechanical and biological filtration will support long-term habitation. This work has the potential to advance the understanding of exercise and environmental choice in fish, with implications for welfare and aquaculture optimization.

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