Fish Aquaculture Research Articles

SED-RCNN-BE: A SE-Dual channel RCNN network optimized binocular estimation model for automatic size estimation of free swimming fish in aquaculture

Size of fish body is one of the most important morphological characteristics for cultured fish and plays a key role to enable effective management in aquaculture. Automatic, accurate and real-time monitoring of fish body size is therefore essential for improving aquaculture production. Computer vision facilitated the non-contact estimation of fish size and reduce labor consumption. While, current computer vision estimation techniques are still restricted in multi-scale size and multi-pose-variant of free-swimming fish, which limit the relevance application to aquaculture. Hence, we propose a novel method to facilitate automatic and accurate size estimation of free-swimming fish for growth monitoring of fish in aquaculture. This method comprised of an improved keypoint detection module based on Keypoint RCNN (SE-D-KP-RCNN) network and size estimation module based on CREStereo matching and spatial plane curve fitting. In the detection module, a squeeze and excitation Dual channel pooling layer (SE-D) is designed for the backbone network to improve the keypoint detection accuracy for free-swimming fish. In the estimation module, the global parallax map of binocular image is produced by CREStereo matching to obtain the 3D information of detection keypoint and build curve fitting of multi-pose variant fish body for height and length estimation. We implement and test our proposed method in different sizes and poses fish and the comprehensive experimental results show that the average accuracy of size estimation can reached 93.18% in the real aquaculture scene. This is important to help breeders to obtain underwater fish size information accurately and improve the efficiency for aquaculture management.

Feature fusion of body surface and motion-based instance segmentation for high-density fish in industrial aquaculture

Feature fusion of body surface and motion-based instance segmentation for high-density fish in industrial aquaculture

Infection dynamics and shedding kinetics of RSIV in red sea bream (Pagrus major) using immersion and cohabitation challenge models

Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) poses a significant threat to global aquaculture and wild fish populations, leading to substantial economic and ecological losses. Despite its recognition as a major viral disease, our understanding of the dynamics of RSIV infection and transmission in naturalistic conditions remains limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the kinetics, shedding, and interspecies transmission of RSIV in red sea bream (Pagrus major) through immersion and cohabitation challenge models. The primary objectives were to (1) elucidate the pathogenicity of RSIV in red sea bream through naturalistic immersion challenges, (2) analyze the viral load and shedding dynamics in RSIV-infected fish, and (3) assess the risk of horizontal transmission to other species. Our results indicated that red sea bream exposed to high doses of RSIV (101–107 RSIV copies/mL) experienced rapid cumulative mortality, particularly at 25 °C. Notably, red sea bream infected by immersion at 25 and 15 °C showed a significant increase in RSIV shedding into seawater when the viral load exceeded approximately 102.48 RSIV copies/mg, highlighting a critical threshold for understanding disease spread in aquaculture settings. Histopathological analysis revealed that the spleen and kidney were primarily affected, with significant lesion scores correlating with viral loads. We observed a strong correlation between viral load and histopathological infection grades, particularly in these primary tissues. Furthermore, cohabitation experiments highlighted the risk of RSIV transmission to other fish species, including rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) and flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), indicating the possibility of horizontal spread in multi-species farming systems. These findings emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance and robust biosecurity measures in aquaculture systems to manage RSIV infection effectively. Overall, this study contributes to understanding RSIV dynamics in red sea bream, offering insights into the impact of this virus in aquaculture environments, particularly concerning viral shedding and transmission.

Hydrodynamic interactions between the cylinder and nets of a typical offshore aquaculture structure in steady current: Numerical investigation and coupling mechanism

The expansion of aquaculture fish farms into deep sea has become a trend today. Several new types of offshore fish farming structures have been designed and tested in real sea, a typical of which is the semi-submersible structure. To ensure structural safety in harsh sea environment, detailed investigations on the hydrodynamic characteristics of offshore aquaculture structures are necessary and meaningful. The study focuses on the basic components of a semi-submersible net cage, namely the combined cylinder-net structure, and conducts CFD-based numerical research on its hydrodynamic coupling characteristics under uniform flow. The net structure is numerically simulated based on the porous media model. The drag and lift force and corresponding flow field of only the cylinder, only the nets, and the combined cylinder-net structure are measured under different inflow angles and solidity ratios of nets. The results indicate that the presence of the cylinder increases the drag of nets, and its impact on lift force of nets is closely related to the inflow angle. On the other hand, the presence of the net structure also amplifies the resistance of the cylinder. Meanwhile, the disturbance law of the flow field caused by the cylinder and the net structure is analyzed. By combining numerical and existing experimental results, the hydrodynamic coupling mechanism between the cylinder and the net structure is preliminarily revealed. This study indicates that when conducting hydrodynamic analysis of offshore structures such as the new semi-submersible net cage, the hydrodynamic interaction between the columns and the net structure should be considered.

Ancient and Recent Hybridization in the Oreochromis Cichlid Fishes.

Cichlid fishes of the genus Oreochromis (tilapia) are among the most important fish for inland capture fisheries and global aquaculture. Deliberate introductions of non-native species for fisheries improvement and accidental escapees from farms have resulted in admixture with indigenous species. Such hybridization may be detrimental to native biodiversity, potentially leading to genomic homogenization of populations and the loss of important genetic material associated with local adaptation. By contrast, introgression may fuel diversification when combined with ecological opportunity, by supplying novel genetic combinations. To date, the role of introgression in the evolutionary history of tilapia has not been explored. Here we studied both ancient and recent hybridization in tilapia, using whole genome resequencing of 575 individuals from 23 species. We focused on Tanzania, a natural hotspot of tilapia diversity, and a country where hybridization between exotic and native species in the natural environment has been previously reported. We reconstruct the first genome-scale phylogeny of the genus and reveal prevalent ancient gene flow across the Oreochromis phylogeny. This has likely resulted in the hybrid speciation of one species, O. chungruruensis. We identify multiple cases of recent hybridization between native and introduced species in the wild, linked to the use of non-native species in both capture fisheries improvement and aquaculture. This has potential implications for both conservation of wild populations and the development of the global tilapia aquaculture industry.

Genomic architecture and sex chromosome systems of commercially important fish species in Asia – Current status, knowledge gaps and future prospects

AbstractAquaculture is one of the fastest growing agro‐food industries in the world and Asia dominates the world's fish production (70% of total) with a high potential to ensure global food security. The leading aquaculture fish species in Asia show sexual dimorphism for traits such as growth, age at sexual maturity etc. in which one sex outperforms the other, increasing the need for controlling sex‐ratio in the farming system. Despite the huge contribution of Asian aquaculture to global fish production, the Asian aquaculture is facing a lot of challenges, for example, maintaining the genetic purity of the fish species and balancing the sex‐ratio in the culture system. Many of these difficulties arise due to a lack of deep understanding of fish genetics, or to the duplicated genome of cultured species, or to the unavailability of high‐quality reference genomes and information on sex determination mechanisms (crucial for monosex production and establishing appropriate breeding programme). This review has described the existing knowledge of the sex determination mechanisms in fish and genome architecture of four commercially important fish groups in Asia (carps, tilapias, catfishes and snakeheads). We also have outlined possible strategies for identifying sex‐determining gene/s using modern genome sequencing and computational technologies. Finally, we have highlighted the existing challenges and future prospects of Asian aquaculture. We anticipate that developments in genome sequencing technologies will help to address the biological complexities and challenges that exist in commercial aquaculture and will be of value for the future growth of the aquaculture industry in Asia.

Microplastics weaken the digestion and absorption functions in the golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) by affecting the intestinal structure, bacteria and metabolites

Microplastics are difficult to degrade and widespread environmental pollutants. Coastal areas are hardest hit of microplastic pollution as they receive significant amounts of microplastics discharged from inland sources. Golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) is a high commercial valuable marine aquaculture fish species, most of the golden pompano are raised in coastal areas, which means they are at significant risk of exposure to microplastics. Therefore, we exposed golden pompano to 10 μg/L, 100 μg/L and 1000 μg/L of 5 μm spherical polystyrene microplastics and conducted a 14-day stress experiment. Histopathology results showed the intestinal villi shrank. The 16s sequencing analysis revealed that microplastics significantly impacted the abundance and community structure of intestinal microorganisms, which may affect the metabolic function of the gastrointestinal tract. Metabolomics sequencing of the intestinal contents showed that microplastics caused disruptions in lipid, glucose, and amino acid metabolism, thus compromising the normal digestion and absorption functions in the intestinal system. In addition, the activation of various pathways, including the intestinal endocrine system, proline metabolism, and signal transduction, which can lead to the occurrence of several diseases. This study combined various methods to investigate the adverse effects of microplastics on intestinal digestion and absorption, and provided new insights into the toxic mechanisms of microplastics.

Impact of Climate Change on Fish Species Classification Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning Algorithms

In response to the challenges posed by climate change and the need for sustainable food supply, this study addresses the problem of efficiently categorizing and predicting the weight of fish in aquaculture. Leveraging machine learning and deep learning algorithms, we propose a regression model to predict fish weight and classification models for species identification based on weight, width, and length parameters. The focus is on automating fish farming processes to ensure uninterrupted food supply amidst environmental uncertainties. Comparative analysis of various machine learning algorithms reveals promising accuracy levels, with deep learning sequential models achieving 99.77% accuracy under specific conditions. This research aims to contribute to the advancement of automated fish farming practices, mitigating the impact of climate change on food security and promoting sustainable resource management.

Genome-wide association analysis identifies genetic variants associated with muscle fatty acids and amino acids in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The composition and content of fatty acids (FAs) and amino acids (AAs) are important nutritional and sensory traits in aquaculture fish. To meet increasing demand while retaining quality, genetic selection in breeding programs is urgently needed to improve these traits. In this study, we performed the genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants and candidate genes potentially linked to FA and AA compositions in grass carp muscle. We focused on key dietary components, including unsaturated FAs and essential AAs. Through profiling of total FA and AA contents, we identified strong positive correlations among the compositions of most FAs and AAs. From our GWAS panel, 4,913,199 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified across the genome, of which 32 SNPs linked to 18 candidate genes were significantly associated with FA levels, and 202 SNPs linked to 115 candidate genes associated with AA contents. In addition, we categorized our sequencing population by region and detected allele frequencies of SNPs across four geographic locations. Notably, four FA-associated SNPs and 28 AA-associated SNPs exhibited geographic specificity. These results offered valuable insights into the complex genetic basis of FA and AA metabolism and deposition. Furthermore, this work provides potential genetic markers for selective breeding aimed at enhancing flesh quality in the economically important fish species, grass carp.

In Search of a Target Gene for a Desirable Phenotype in Aquaculture: Genome Editing of Cyprinidae and Salmonidae Species.

Aquaculture supplies the world food market with a significant amount of valuable protein. Highly productive aquaculture fishes can be derived by utilizing genome-editing methods, and the main problem is to choose a target gene to obtain the desirable phenotype. This paper presents a review of the studies of genome editing for genes controlling body development, growth, pigmentation and sex determination in five key aquaculture Salmonidae and Cyprinidae species, such as rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus), Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) and the model fish zebrafish (Danio rerio). Among the genes studied, the most applicable for aquaculture are mstnba, pomc, and acvr2, the knockout of which leads to enhanced muscle growth; runx2b, mutants of which do not form bones in myoseptae; lepr, whose lack of function makes fish fast-growing; fads2, Δ6abc/5Mt, and Δ6bcMt, affecting the composition of fatty acids in fish meat; dnd mettl3, and wnt4a, mutants of which are sterile; and disease-susceptibility genes prmt7, gab3, gcJAM-A, and cxcr3.2. Schemes for obtaining common carp populations consisting of only large females are promising for use in aquaculture. The immobilized and uncolored zebrafish line is of interest for laboratory use.

Distribution and ecological risk assessment of antibiotics in different freshwater aquaculture ponds in a typical agricultural plain, China

Freshwater aquaculture serves as a significant focal point for antibiotic contamination, yet understanding antibiotic distribution across different aquaculture models and stages remains limited. This study evaluated antibiotic pollution in three distinct freshwater aquaculture models: rice-crayfish coculture, fish aquaculture, and crab-crayfish aquaculture, during various aquaculture stages. Of the 33 target antibiotics, 16 antibiotics were detected, with the total concentrations ranging from 111.81 ng/L to 15,949.05 ng/L in water and 10.11 ng/g to 8986.30 ng/g in sediment. Among these antibiotics, erythromycin and lomefloxacin are prohibited for use in Chinese aquaculture. Dominant antibiotics in water included lincomycin, enrofloxacin, and enoxacin, whereas in sediment, oxytetracycline and erythromycin were predominant. Notably, lincomycin emerged as a dominant antibiotic in aquaculture for the first time. The concentrations of these dominant antibiotics were high compared to other aquaculture settings and exhibited elevated ecological risk. Critical periods for antibiotic contamination in water and sediment were found to be incongruent, occurring during the rainy season in July for water and the dry season in October for sediment. Notably, the rice-crayfish coculture model exerts a good effect in reducing antibiotic pollution. Overall, these findings offer valuable evidence for the healthful and sustainable advancement of aquaculture.

Pendampingan Pemberdayaan Tanaman Aquaponik Masyarakat Perum Emerald Garden Bumiayu

The aquaponic plant empowerment mentoring program at Emerald Garden Housing, Bumiayu, aims to improve community skills and welfare through environmentally friendly cultivation technology. Aquaponics is a system that combines the cultivation of fish (aquaculture) and plants (hydroponics) in a mutually beneficial environment. This activity includes several stages, namely socialization, training, technical assistance and evaluation. The methods used include outreach, direct demonstrations, and field practice involving all residents. The program results show an increase in community knowledge and skills in managing aquaponic systems, as well as a significant increase in plant and fish production. Apart from that, this program also has a positive impact on improving the household economy and local food security. From the evaluation results, it can be seen that there is high enthusiasm from the community to continue developing and utilizing this aquaponic technology. This program has succeeded in creating a sustainable community empowerment model that can be replicated in other areas. The challenges faced include limited land and the need for technical adjustments that require further attention

Alterations in the fillet quality of myostatin-knockout red sea bream Pagrus major: Preliminary insights into nutritional, compositional, and textural properties

Myostatin (MSTN) is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth and a popular target for enhancing the productivity of farmed fish. We previously developed an mstn-knockout breed of the aquaculture fish red sea bream (Pagrus major) using genome editing technology. However, little is known about the effects of mstn disruption on the fillet quality of red sea bream and other fish species. In this study, we used fillets of mstn-deficient red sea bream to evaluate their compositional and textural changes during refrigeration. Compared to the wild type, the mutant fillets exhibited an increase in moisture content and a decrease in drippings, indicating an enhanced water-holding capacity. Furthermore, the mutant fillets showed increased water retention and marginally lower collagen content, resulting in lower breaking force, an index of texture. In conclusion, we demonstrated that mstn disruption alters the compositional and textural properties of red sea bream fillets.

Systematic identification and analysis of immune-related circRNAs of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco involved in Aeromonas veronii infection

Circular RNA (circRNA) represents a type of newly discovered non-coding RNA, distinguished by its closed loop structure formed through covalent bonds. Recent studies have revealed that circRNAs have crucial influences on host anti-pathogen responses. Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), an important aquaculture fish with great economic value, is susceptible to Aeromonas veronii, a common aquatic pathogen that can cause acute death. Here, we reported the first systematic investigation of circRNAs in yellow catfish, especially those associated with A. veronii infection at different time points. A total of 1205 circRNAs were identified, which were generated from 875 parental genes. After infection, 47 circRNAs exhibited differential expression patterns (named DEcirs). The parental genes of these DEcirs were functionally engaged in immune-related processes. Accordingly, seven DEcirs (novel_circ_000226, 278, 401, 522, 736, 843, and 975) and six corresponding parental genes (ADAMTS13, HAMP1, ANG3, APOA1, FGB, and RALGPS1) associated with immunity were obtained, and their expression was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Moreover, we found that these DEcir-gene pairs likely acted through pathways, such as platelet activation, antimicrobial humoral response, and regulation of Ral protein signal transduction, to influence host immune defenses. Additionally, integrated analysis showed that, of the 7 immune-related DEcirs, three targeted 16 miRNAs, which intertwined into circRNA-miRNA networks. These findings revealed that circRNAs, by targeting genes or miRNAs are highly involved in anti-bacterial responses in yellow catfish. Our study comprehensively illustrates the roles of circRNAs in yellow catfish immune defenses. The identified DEcirs and the circRNA-miRNA network will contribute to the further investigations on the molecular mechanisms underlying yellow catfish immune responses.

Implementation of Naïve Bayes Method Diagnosing Diseases Nile Tilapia

The Nile tilapia, also known as Oreochromis niloticus, was a freshwater fish species first produced in East Africa in 1969. It became a popular aquaculture fish in freshwater ponds across Indonesia. Besides its delicious taste, the Nile tilapia is rich in nutrients essential for human health. However, cultivating Nile tilapia was challenging due to frequent bacterial diseases. These diseases often led to mass fish deaths, causing financial losses, especially for new fish farmers. The rapid spread of diseases emphasized the need for prompt intervention to prevent further losses. Farmers needed adequate knowledge about Nile tilapia diseases, but often struggled to absorb information provided by the government. Hence, the presence of experts or veterinarians was crucial in assisting farmers to address these issues. Farmers of Nile tilapia sought assistance from experts or veterinarians, but this was not easy. It involved substantial costs and time, while quick intervention was necessary to mitigate losses. The solution proposed was the development of an expert system for diagnosing and treating Nile tilapia diseases. Thus, an expert system was built to assist fish farmers in identifying fish diseases and their treatments by implementing the naïve Bayes method. The expert system transferred human knowledge to computers, enabling them to solve problems like experts, thereby making expert knowledge accessible to non-experts. Naïve Bayes was implemented to determine the highest probability based on input symptoms. This research used five test data samples to apply the naïve Bayes method to diagnose Nile tilapia diseases, resulting in an accuracy rate of 80%. Therefore, the implementation of naïve Bayes in diagnosing Nile tilapia diseases is considered reasonably effective.

Impact of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on digestive enzymes, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense in fish farming: current insights and future perspectives

There has been a surge of research in the aquaculture industry investigating probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic interventions on the physiological mechanisms of fish, specifically digestive enzymes, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense. In fish, probiotics have been shown to improve nutrient utilization and growth performance by stimulating digestive enzymes. Meanwhile, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics have also been studied for their ability to modulate oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms in fish, highlighting their multifaceted health benefits. This review identified current trends, research gaps, and future considerations in this evolving field. Although promising findings have been made, a significant research gap exists in understanding the specific role of probiotics prebiotics, and synbiotics in modulating digestive enzymes, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense systems in a variety of fish species. As this study investigate into the existing body of literature, it becomes evident that while certain aspects of these interactions have been elucidated, a nuanced and comprehensive understanding still needs to be discovered. The variations in experimental design, species-specific responses, and the lack of standardized methodologies contribute to the complexity of the field. Digestive physiology and antioxidant defense mechanisms vary among different fish species, so future research should focus on species-specific responses to probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic formulations. It will also be possible to establish robust correlations between dietary interventions and observed effects through a systematic experimental design and methodology approach. Accordingly, further research is needed to understand the interactions between probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in fish and digestive enzymes, oxidative stress, and antioxidant defense. Identifying research gaps and adopting standardized methodologies can help develop tailored strategies to optimize aquaculture fish health and growth performance.

DETERMINANTS OF THE MORTALITY OF PATIN FISH IN TEMERLOH, PAHANG, MALAYSIA

This study explores the factors influencing Patin fish mortality in Malaysia's expanding aquaculture industry, which is crucial for meeting the rising global demand for fish and seafood. Analysing data from 135 fish farmers through SPSS Software, it finds significant correlations between mortality rates and variables like fish species, time until sale, and fish quantity per cage. At the same time, factors such as partnership numbers and feeding frequency have minimal impact. These results highlight the critical role of water quality management in fish health and production costs. The findings are vital for developing strategies to improve fish farming and water quality control in Malaysia, addressing the need to consider various factors to reduce fish mortality. Despite the significance of certain variables, the low adjusted R-squared value points to other yet unidentified factors affecting fish deaths, suggesting ongoing data collection and model refinement for stakeholders. This research contributes to understanding aquaculture costs and fish health, informing theories such as Interactive Governance Theory, Stress Response Theory, and Disease Ecology Theory and underscoring the importance of comprehensive strategies for sustainable aquaculture practices.

Bank loans to agricultural SMEs and the performance of the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of bank loans for agricultural SMEs on agriculture sector performance, specifically assessing how this financial support influences the overall performance of the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. Data for both dependent and independent variables were meticulously sourced from the annual reports of the Ministry of Finance, covering the study period from 2012 to 2021. The study evaluates the performance of 16 distinct agricultural economic activities, each contributing uniquely to Sri Lanka's economy. The descriptive statistics, particularly the mean values, highlight intriguing aspects of Sri Lanka's agricultural sector. Notably, there is a considerable disparity in the average gross domestic production, with marine fishing and marine aquaculture emerging as highly productive. At the same time, the growing of other beverage crops demonstrates a significantly lower contribution. Crucially, the regression analysis affirms a positive and statistically significant impact of bank loans to agricultural SMEs on the performance of the overall agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. This substantiates the fundamental need for adequate bank loans for agricultural SMEs to empower and enhance the performance of the entire agriculture sector. As this study sheds light on the positive correlation between bank loans for agricultural SMEs and agricultural sector performance, it underscores the importance of tailored public policies concerning loan proportions and amounts for distinct economic activities within the agriculture sector.

Vegetable omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids differentially modulate the antiviral and antibacterial immune responses of Atlantic salmon

The immunomodulatory effects of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are a crucial subject of investigation for sustainable fish aquaculture, as fish oil is increasingly replaced by terrestrial vegetable oils in aquafeeds. Unlike previous research focusing on fish oil replacement with vegetable alternatives, our study explored how the omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio in low-fish oil aquafeeds influences Atlantic salmon's antiviral and antibacterial immune responses. Atlantic salmon were fed aquafeeds rich in soy oil (high in omega-6) or linseed oil (high in omega-3) for 12 weeks and then challenged with bacterial (formalin-killed Aeromonas salmonicida) or viral-like (polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid) antigens. The head kidneys of salmon fed high dietary omega-3 levels exhibited a more anti-inflammatory fatty acid profile and a restrained induction of pro-inflammatory and neutrophil-related genes during the immune challenges. The high-omega-3 diet also promoted a higher expression of genes associated with the interferon-mediated signaling pathway, potentially enhancing antiviral immunity. This research highlights the capacity of vegetable oils with different omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA ratios to modulate specific components of fish immune responses, offering insights for future research on the intricate lipid nutrition-immunity interplay and the development of novel sustainable low-fish oil clinical aquaculture feeds.

Pikeperch muscle tissues: a comparative study of structure, enzymes, genes, and proteins in wild and farmed fish

Pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is a freshwater species and an internationally highly demanded fish in aquaculture. Despite intensive research efforts on this species, fundamental knowledge of skeletal muscle biology and structural characteristics is missing. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of skeletal muscle parameters in adult pikeperch from two different origins, wild-caught specimens from a lake and those reared in a recirculating aquaculture system. The analyses comprised the biochemical characteristics (nucleic acid, protein content), enzyme activities (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase), muscle-specific gene and protein expression (related to myofibre formation, regeneration and permanent growth, muscle structure), and muscle fibre structure. The findings reveal distinct differences between the skeletal muscle of wild and farmed pikeperch. Specifically, nucleic acid content, enzyme activity, and protein expression varied significantly. The higher enzyme activity observed in wild pikeperch suggests greater metabolically activity in their muscles. Conversely, farmed pikeperch indicated a potential for pronounced muscle growth. As the data on pikeperch skeletal muscle characteristics is sparse, the purpose of our study is to gain fundamental insights into the characteristics of adult pikeperch muscle. The presented data serve as a foundation for further research on percids’ muscle biology and have the potential to contribute to advancements and adaptations in aquaculture practices.