Small Fish Research Articles

Atlas of Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) benthic habitat – application of multibeam acoustics and directed sampling to identify viable subtidal substrates

Defining and delineating species distribution and critical habitat is critical to informed management and conservation. This process is complicated in marine environments, where detection of marine taxa and characterization of marine habitat is more difficult. Small pelagic fishes and forage fishes are particularly challenging, though insights may be more accessible in species highly dependent on particular habitat. Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) is a common and ecologically-important pelagic fish that relies on specific benthic sediments for rest and refuge from predation. We applied multibeam echosounder (MBES) bathymetric data to develop high-definition benthic habitat maps and implemented multiyear sampling to assess potential habitat for sand lance via in situ sampling of sediments. We also applied acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) data and tidally-driven volume-based ocean models to measure current strength and to visualize currents. We leveraged this data to further define and describe habitat for this important forage species. Sediment transport processes were mapped and areas of dispersal, embedment, and accumulation were evaluated. Dynamic bedform habitats, banner banks and glacial banks were identified as potential habitat and sampled for fish presence, density and sediment composition. In the central Salish Sea, approximately 25% of benthic substrates represent potential sand lance habitat. Sand lance prevalence and density correlated with substrate type and sediment coarseness. Densities were highest in areas of coarse grain sediments and presence was limited by fine particulates, such as silt and mud. Tidal currents appear important. Presence and densities of sand lance were correlated with current velocity and distance from current flow path. Nearly all viable sites were located on the immediate margins of high flow (< 0.16 km from tidal currents with max speed of 1.72-2.58 m/s). While both flood and ebb were important, processes related to flood were dominant. Viable habitat was not constrained by depth. These results inform a developing atlas for sand lance in the central Salish Sea, provide new insights to subtidal sand lance habitat, characterize conditions that create and maintain subtidal benthic habitat, and provide a template for mapping habitat for this species in the coastal Pacific Ocean.

Revealing the temporal dynamics of fish assemblage pattern, feeding guilds in relation to habitat quality parameters in a coastal wetland of the Indian Sundarban eco-region.

The present study was conducted from April 2016 to March 2017 in a freshwater-dominated coastal wetland of the Indian Sundarban ecoregion to illustrate the fish diversity, and abundance and the predictor variables determining fish assemblage structure in the wetland. A total of 27 fish species belonging to 13 orders, 16 families, and 23 genera with Cyprinidae (18.5%) as the most dominant family were recorded from the wetland. Fish species richness was found to vary noticeably across the season with the highest number of taxa during the monsoon season (25 species). The study revealed that small indigenous fish species (SIFs) were found dominating the overall species richness and abundance which accounted for 70.37% of the total fish diversity. Among SIFs, Mystus gulio dominated (33 - 42%) the total fish abundance followed by Amblypharyngodon mola (12 - 21.7%), Oryzias dancena (11 - 14.9%), Parambassis ranga (6 - 32%), Puntius sophore (5 - 10.8%), and Parambassis lala (3 - 5.9%). Thirteen fish species were found as inhabitants of truly freshwater, eight species of freshwater and brackish water, and six of freshwater, brackish, and marine form. The developed GAM model proved water turbidity to be the best predictor variable determining fish abundance and assemblages in the wetlands. Besides, turbidity, salinity, transparency, and temperature were found to influence the fish assemblages. There was no visible response to water depth, although this has a linear effect on fish abundance. Water temperatures up to about 30.5°C had a positive effect on fish abundance and the highest fish abundance in the wetland to be found in the range of 29 to 30.5°C.

Condition states in anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) revealed by energy and proximate composition relationships.

Energy content has long been proposed as a fundamental, integrated, and reliable indicator of the condition of individuals as it reflects past bioenergetics and influences future life-history traits. There is a direct biochemical link between energy density and body composition described by four main compounds in fish (protein, lipid, ash, and water), with proteins and lipids being the sources of energy. If relationships between water content, or lipid content, and energy density have been well described in relative terms, the absolute mass variations in the proximate composition have been overlooked and thus their interpretation is often equivocal. In our study, based on a large and unique dataset on the proximate composition and energy density of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) from sampling in the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, we aimed to better explain the patterns between water content and other proximate components or energy density, based on the dynamics of proteins, lipids, and water absolute masses. For the first time, we defined good, intermediate, and poor condition states in wild fish, based on water content, corresponding to the different dynamics of lipids and proteins in the metabolism of individuals. Anchovy and sardine exhibited remarkably similar patterns of variation in the compounds and in the limits between the condition states with respect to water content. Those patterns revealed that water mass remained constant for a given fish size whatever its condition state, and that variability in water content only resulted from the variation in lipid and protein masses. Furthermore, the differential dynamics of proteins and lipids, with only lipids mobilized in the good condition state, only proteins in the poor condition state, and both proteins and lipids in the intermediate condition state, elucidates the nonlinear pattern observed in the relationship between energy density and water content. Overall, our results highlight the importance of monitoring the intraspecific variations in water content to predict the proximate composition and energy content in small pelagic fish and better assess individual and population conditions in changing ecosystems as well as to better parameterize bioenergetic models.

A review of the global use of fishmeal and fish oil and the Fish In:Fish Out metric.

Aquacultured carnivorous species consume most of the world's fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), which itself is primarily derived from small pelagic fish. This has raised concerns about the practice's impact on wild fish stocks, ecosystems, and coastal communities that rely on these fish. The aquaculture industry claims a decreasing dependence on wild fish, relying on the Fish In:Fish Out (FIFO) metric as a ratio of the quantity of wild fish required for farmed fish production. This is misleading because it usually assumes constant FM or FO yields, inclusion rates and feed conversion ratios, which vary widely. Thus, a constant FIFO value for a given species cannot be assumed. Furthermore, low FIFO values resulting from averaging carnivores and herbivores conceal the high feed requirements of carnivore species. The increasing use of FMFO from by-products does not demonstrate a decreased use of wild fish but rather reflects a growing demand for FMFO, particularly for the fast growing and valuable salmon and shrimp farming industries.

Impact of Different Small Fish Feeds on the Growth and Survival of Mangrove Crabs (Scylla serrata)

Mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) is a type of crustacean that lives in mangrove forests and estuaries, a member of the portunidae tribe. Mangrove crabs have considerable economic potential at home or abroad and the demand is also quite high. Its availability can only be obtained by continuous capture in the wild, so people are worried about its population. One way to overcome this is by maintaining mangrove crab fattening apartment system. Determination of feed dosage is one of the cultivation processes that needs to be understood because it affects the growth rate, survival and production levels of mud crabs. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the effect of feeding different doses of raw fish on the fattening and survival of mud crabs (Scylla serrata). The purpose of this study was to analyze the optimal feed weight and frequency of feeding on fattening and survival of mud crabs in the crab box. The method used in this research is experimental method with complete randomized design. This treatment was carried out with 4 treatments and 3 replications, namely P1: 4%, P2: 8%, P3: 12% and P4: 16%. The four treatments were repeated 3 times so that 12 experimental units were obtained. the value of water quality parameters obtained during the study is still considered optimal. The results of the research conducted can be concluded that the provision of different doses of raw fish feed in fattening mud crabs is significantly different from the results of absolute weight and Specific Growth Rate (SGR) but not significantly different from the results of Survival Rate (SR) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). The best treatment is p3 with a dose of 16%. The conclusion of this study can be concluded that the provision of different doses of feed affects the absolute weight and specific weight growth rate (SGR) of mangrove crabs (Scylla serrata). The water quality obtained is still optimal for mangrove crab cultivation.

The impact of acclimation on standard and maximum metabolic rate in a small freshwater fish

The impact of acclimation on standard and maximum metabolic rate in a small freshwater fish

A new modeling strategy for the predictive model of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) central fishing grounds in the Northwest Pacific Ocean based on machine learning and operational characteristics of the light fishing vessels

The chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is one of the most influential small pelagic fish in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, and accurate modeling approaches and model selection are critical points in predicting the Scomber japonicus fishing grounds. This study investigated the changes in catches and fishing days on no moonlight and bright moonlight days (2014-2022) and compared the differences in predictive performance between the LightGBM and RF models on three datasets under the two modeling approaches [those based on the light fishing vessels operational characteristics (Approach one) and those not (Approach Two)]. The results were as follows: 1) Stronger moonlight intensity (e.g., full moon) can limit the fishing efficiency of light fishing vessels, with most years showing a trend of a higher percentage of fishing days on bright moonlight days than catches percentage, i.e., no moonlight days resulted in higher catches with lower fishing days; 2) Compared to Modeling Approach Two, under Modeling Approach one, RF model achieved better predictive performance on dataset B, while the LightGBM model achieved better predictive performance on both datasets A and B; 3) Overall, the Approach One achieved more satisfactory prediction performance, with the optimal prediction performance on the complete dataset C improved from 65.02% (F1-score of the RF model, Approach Two) to 66.52% (F1-score of the LightGBM model, Approach Two); 4) Under the optimal modeling approach (Approach One) and the optimal model (LightGBM model), the differences in the importance of the variables on dataset A (no moonlight days) and dataset B (bright moonlight days) were mainly centered on the environmental variables, with CV, SLA, and SSS being the most important in dataset A, and CV, DO, and SLA being the most important in dataset B. This study provides a more scientific and reasonable modeling undertaking for the research of light purse seine fishing vessels, which is conducive to guiding fishermen to select the operating area and operating time of the Scomber japonicus fishery more accurately and comprehensively and realizing the balanced development of fisheries in terms of ecology and economy.

Evaluation of nutrient composition of selected small indigenous fish species in Bangladesh and potential contribution to nutrient intakes

Small indigenous fish (SIF) are recognized as easily available, and abundant source of macronutrients and micronutrients in Bangladesh. The current investigation was undertaken to assess the existing heavy metal, mineral, vitamin, and others nutrient content of small indigenous freshwater fish in Bangladesh. Eight indigenous fish (Mola, Tengra, Baim, Punti, Chanda, Guchi, Koi, and Taki) were selected for this study. The AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer), ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry), and the Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods outlined were used to determine the proximate compositional analysis of fish. The highest fat content was found in koi fish. Protein was highest in both baim and taki fish. Iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 content were highest in mola fish. Highest calcium and phosphorus were found in the chanda and taki fish. The study concludes that small indigenous fish are valuable sources of fat, protein, ash, iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin B12, which are important for maintaining good health. Our findings suggest that small indigenous fish could serve as a viable option for addressing the nutritional needs for the children (6–23 m age), and Pregnant and lactating women in Bangladesh as a tool to fight malnutrition.

Absence of predator control increases cod extirpation risk in a Northwest Atlantic ecosystem: inference from multispecies modelling

Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (sGSL) declined to low abundance in the early 1990s and have since failed to recover due to high natural mortality, which has been linked to predation by grey seals Halichoerus grypus. Increased grey seal harvests have been suggested to improve cod survival; however, predicting the response of cod to changes in seal abundance in the sGSL is complicated by a hypothesized triangular food web involving seals, cod, and small pelagic fishes, wherein the pelagic fishes are prey for cod and grey seals, but may also prey on young cod. Grey seals may therefore have an indirect positive effect on pre-recruit cod survival via predation on pelagic fish. Using a multispecies model of intermediate complexity fitted to various scientific and fisheries data, we found that seal predation accounted for the majority of recent cod mortality and that cod will likely be extirpated without a strong and rapid reduction in grey seal abundance. We did not find evidence that reducing grey seal abundance will impair cod recovery by causing large increases in pelagic biomass so long as pelagic fishing mortality continues at historical levels.

Estimation of tributary–mainstem migration of freshwater fishes by Sr isotope analysis of otoliths

AbstractThe study of fish movement patterns in freshwater ecosystems remains a major focus of contemporary research. Small freshwater fish are known to migrate between tributaries and mainstems at different stages of their life history, helping to avoid local extinctions and maintain genetic diversity. However, fitting small fish species with telemetry equipment is difficult, making it challenging to track their detailed migration history via conventional methods. We evaluated the suitability of otolith isotope analysis for verifying the migration histories of small fish species inhabiting small tributaries. In this study, we compared the 87Sr/86Sr values in stream water and the otoliths of two fish species (Nipponocypris temminckii and Rhinogobius flumineus) inhabiting small streams. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the stream waters within the study area displayed considerable variation among tributaries. Our findings indicate that only N. temminckii has high dispersal ability, showing movement between tributaries or between tributaries and the mainstem in some locations. In contrast, such movement was not generally observed for R. flumineus. These results show the potential of 87Sr/86Sr as a tool for estimating the migration patterns of small fishes that inhabit small tributaries.

Assessing the thermal limits and metabolic profiles of small indigenous fish species: Informing conservation and aquaculture in a changing climate

This study explored the thermal tolerance and routine metabolic rate of ten small indigenous fish species from Northeast India: Amblypharyngodon mola, Esomus danrica, Puntius sophore, Gudusia chapra, Heteropneustes fossilis, Botia dario, Lepidocephalichthys guntea, Mystus cavasius, Aplocheilus panchax, and Glossogobius giuris. Fish were acclimated to 20°C, 25°C, and 30°C for two weeks prior to experiments and assessed for critical thermal maxima (CTmax), critical thermal minima (CTmin), lethal thermal maxima (LTmax), oxygen consumption rates, and respiratory quotients using standardized methods. The results revealed significant interspecific variations: CTmax ranged from 36.4°C to 41.7°C, CTmin from 8.7°C to 15.2°C, and LTmax from 41.5°C to 44.9°C. Oxygen consumption rates varied between 0.26 and 1.07 mg O₂/g/h, with respiratory quotients ranging from 0.76 to 1.01. Heteropneustes fossilis (CTmax: 41.7°C at 30°C acclimation) exhibited the highest thermal tolerance, while Amblypharyngodon mola had the lowest (CTmax: 38.2°C at 30°C acclimation). Differences in thermal tolerance between species were statistically significant (p<0.05). Notably, CTmax was positively correlated with oxygen consumption rates, suggesting a connection between metabolic rate and heat tolerance. These findings enhance our understanding of the physiological adaptations of these species to their thermal environments and underscore their conservation needs amidst climate change.

Microplastic characterization in small freshwater fishes collected in Gyeongan-cheon, a tributary stream of Han River in South Korea: Ingestion and depuration study of Nylon

Plastic inventions have had an impact on various industries, and people easily approach to plastic products, degrading into microplastic (MP). In this study, distribution of MP was evaluated in freshwater fishes collected in a tributary stream of the Han River, Gyeongan-cheon. Totally 38 fishes, mostly Zacco platypus, were used to analyze, and they were collected in two different seasons as the normal and rainy seasons. Fishes contained 34–284 particles/individual. The prevalent size of MP in fishes ranged from 45 to 100 μm, followed by 100–300 and 20–45 μm. Shapes of MP in fishes were mostly fragments, and types of MP were polypropylene (PP) > polyethylene (PE) > polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). By 4-day ingestion of Nylon at 100 μg/L (equivalent to 55,000 particles/L, about 20–40 μm) in Zacco koreanus, the treated fish showed MP concentration with an average number of 53 Nylons. Mean retention time value was considered as 13.4 days by the uptake-depuration test using Z. platypus at 500 μg/L Nylon. Taken together, MP concentration found in smaller freshwater fish was dependent on living habitat and MP size. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring of MPs in freshwater ecosystems and the need to understand MP ingestion and excretion patterns in small freshwater fish species.

Evaluating intra- and inter-life stage density-dependent dynamics for management of perennial amphidromous fish.

Compensatory density-dependent (DD) processes play an integral role in fisheries management by underpinning fundamental population demographics. However, DD processes are often assessed only for specific life stages, likely resulting in misleading evaluations of population limitations. Here, we assessed the relative roles of intra- and inter-life stage DD interactions in shaping the population dynamics of perennial freshwater fish with demographically open populations. Specifically, we monitored populations of amphidromous banded kōkopu (Galaxias fasciatus), giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus), and shortjaw kōkopu (Galaxias postvectis) in five streams where migratory post-larvae are fished and in three no-take ("closed") streams located on New Zealand's South Island for two years. Using mark-recapture data, we investigated whether fishing altered densities of "small" (non-territorial recruits ≤1-year-old) and "large" (territorial fish >1-year-old) kōkopu size classes, and how subsequent density shifts affected the apparent survival and growth of each class while controlling for other confounding factors (e.g., habitat characteristics). We found that closed areas had substantially greater biomass of small kōkopu, particularly following the two-month fishing season. Despite this greater influx of recruits, there was no difference in the biomass of large kōkopu at the species level, or as a combined assemblage between stream types. This indicated that although fishing of post-larvae reduced recruit influxes into adult habitats, there was no subsequent evidence of recruitment-limitation within adult populations. Instead, kōkopu demographics were underpinned by intra- and inter-life stage DD competition and predation. Greater large fish densities played a key role in regulating the survival, growth, and/or presence of various kōkopu classes. In contrast, greater small fish densities had positive effects on the growth of opportunistic and insectivorous congeners, likely due to cannibalism and altered foraging behaviors, respectively. Our study details the prominent role of intra- and inter-life stage DD interactions in regulating the population dynamics of perennial migratory freshwater fishes, even in populations with inhibited recruit and juvenile availability. We emphasize the importance for fisheries management to implement recruitment dependencies and complex interactions between distinct life stages to avoid deleterious DD responses and ensure population persistence.

Modeling the structure changes of cold-water copepods Calanus euxinus population under the influence of the black sea depths deoxygenation

The paper presents the results of modeling the possible changes in the structure of the population of Calanus euxinus Hulsemann, 1991 copepods in the Black Sea under the influence of deoxygenation that began in the late 1980s. Over the past 50 years, the depth of oxygen penetration in the deep sea has decreased by almost 50 m. The lower “life limit” of zooplankton in the Black Sea corresponds to the upper boundary of the suboxic layer, where intense copepod aggregation occurs at an oxygen concentration of 10 μM /L. In 1955–1976, this boundary was 130–140 m across the sea, but due to eutrophication and climate change since late 1980s, it has risen in deep water areas to 70–80 m. As a result, the dense copepod layers near the redoxcline and especially their reserve population stock, consisting of non-migrating individuals in diapause, may have been subjected to intensive eating by the Black Sea sprat, which lives to a depth of 100 m and can tolerate hypoxia. To explore this process, we created a new population dynamics model for C. euxinus, which makes it possible to assess changes in the abundance and structure of the population under conditions of a quasi-stationary state and during intensive predation of individuals in diapause. The model describes the dynamics of the Сalanus population based on a statistical description of the relationship between the growth of individuals, their fecundity, the duration of diapause, mortality, and environmental conditions: the concentration of food suspension and temperature in the layer of vertical migration. We put forward the hypothesis that the access of small pelagic fish to the concentration layers of copepods in diapause has a key effect on significant changes in the Black Sea ecosystem, associated with a decrease in the supply of forage plankton and fluctuations in the abundance of pelagic fish.

Autonomous data sampling for high-resolution spatiotemporal fish biomass estimates

Many key ecological dynamics such as biomass distributions are only detectable on a fine spatiotemporal scale. Autonomous data collection with Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) creates new possibilities for cost efficient and high-resolution aquatic data sampling. However, the spatial coverage and sampling resolution remain uncertain due to the novelty of the technology. Further, there is no established method for analysing such fine-scale autocorrelated data without aggregation, potentially compromising data resolution. We here used a USV with an echosounder, a conductivity-temperature sensor and a flourometer to collect data from April–July 2019–2023 in a 60x80km area in the central Baltic Sea. The USV covered a total distance of 8000 nmi, over 42–81 days per year, with an average speed of 0.5 m/s. We combined the hydroacoustic data with publicly available oceanographic data from Copernicus Marine Service Information (CMSI) to describe seasonal distribution dynamics of a small pelagic fish community. Key oceanographic variables collected by the USV were correlated with CMSI estimates at daily/monthly resolution, respectively, to test for suitability to scale (Temperature 0.99/0.97; Salinity −0.77/−0.26; Chlorophyll-a 0.12/0.28). We investigated two approaches of Species Distribution Models (SDMs): generalized additive models (GAM) versus spatiotemporal generalized linear mixed effect models (GLMM). The GLMMs explained the observed data better than the GAMs (R2 0.31 and 0.20, respectively). The addition of environmental variables increased the explanatory capability of GAM and GLMM by 25 % and ~ 3 %, respectively. Due to the high data resolution, we found significant amounts of positive autocorrelation (R: 0.05–0.30) across more than 50 lags of observation. However, we found that diel patterns in fish detection strongly affected the abundance estimates due to diel vertically migrating species hiding in the ‘acoustic dead zone’ near the seabed. Such dynamics could only be estimated and corrected for in predictions on the high-resolution data, complicating the trade-off between autocorrelation and high-resolution for SDMs even further. We compared estimates and effect sizes/directions in identical SDMs on 2x2km/month aggregated (i.e non-autocorrelated) observations and non-aggregated (i.e. autocorrelated) observations, and found relatively little difference in spatiotemporal estimates (r = 0.80). For the first time, we predicted the distribution of a small pelagic fish community at a high spatial resolution, in an area essential to breeding top predators, opening up for new applications in ecological studies locally and globally.

Diet of Three Cryptobenthic Clingfish Species and the Factors Influencing It

Cryptobenthic fish are small benthic fish species that normally live in various hiding places. Due to their large numbers, they are very important for energy transfer to higher trophic levels. However, due to their small size and hidden lifestyle, knowledge about them and their ecology, including their diet, is still limited. Using a non-destructive method based on faecal pellets, we investigated the diet of three clingfish species, Lepadogaster lepadogaster, L. candolii, and Apletodon incognitus, in the shallow northern Adriatic Sea. To better understand the results, we studied the fauna of potential prey in the habitats of the fish studied and also took fish specimens to observe their behaviour in the laboratory. The three species feed predominantly on crustaceans, particularly amphipods, copepods, and decapods. The proportion of the different taxa in the diet depends on the species of clingfish, the size of the specimens, and the size of the prey. In addition, the behaviour of the fish, the home range of the specimens, and the availability of food played an important role. The presence of certain crustacean groups in the environment also determines the occurrence of clingfish of different species and sizes.

Evaluating rational and healthy use options for small pelagic fish species in sub-Saharan Africa

Evaluating rational and healthy use options for small pelagic fish species in sub-Saharan Africa

Cultivable bacterial communities from purse-seined small pelagic fish, fishing nets and storage tanks

Cultivable bacterial communities from purse-seined small pelagic fish, fishing nets and storage tanks

Fish That Fish for Fish-A Peculiar Location of "Fishing Motoneurons" in the Striated Frogfish Antennarius striatus.

In lophiform teleosts, the first dorsal fin has evolved as a specialized structure called the "illicium" equipped with the esca, which is a modified skin flap used to attract small fish for predation. The motor control system of the illicium, however, remained unknown. The present study investigated the innervation of muscles for the illicium and morphology of motoneurons innervating them in the striated frogfish Antennarius striatus. We found that the dorsal ramus of occipital nerve innervates the muscles. Motoneurons for the illicium are present in the dorsolateral zone of ventral horn at the medullo-spinal boundary level, forming a cluster somewhat distinct from other motoneurons of the ventral horn. Motoneurons for the second to fourth dorsal fins and pectoral fin were located in the ventrolateral and ventromedial zones of ventral horn, respectively, whereas those of the dorsal trunk muscle in the dorsomedial zone of ventral horn. Motoneurons for the first dorsal spine of white-spotted pygmy filefish were also investigated for species comparison and were found to locate in the ventrolateral zone of ventral horn, similarly to the motoneurons for the second to fourth dorsal fins of the frogfish. These results suggest that motoneurons for the illicium have become segregated from other motoneurons to be situated in an unusual dorsal position for a motoneuron pool of a dorsal fin, in concert with the evolution of specialized "fishing behavior" performed by the illicium.

Can Business Ethics and Political Ethics Close/Narrow the Gap Between Morality and Economic Development-Power?

Can business ethics and political ethics solve the problems in business and politics caused by people's lifelong pursuit of economic and political power throughout their lives? This study, which we have built around this question, basically aims to present an analysis of the ethical violations and problems encountered in business and politics, two important areas of human experience, and the ethical emphasis developed to prevent them. In business; working, doing business, trading and pursuing pure profit and taking these as ends in themselves raise a wide variety of ethical problems in society and business life. There have been some recommendations of business ethics to solve these problems. In politics, on the other hand, we also face problems caused by the notion that public morality can be ignored, lies can be told when necessary, and any path that leads to political goals can be considered legitimate. This article argues that it is not possible to fully solve moral violations and problems in the fields of economy and politics with business ethics and political ethics. This is because the understanding of morality / ethics and human understanding underlies these problems is problematic. Utilitarianism, which was developed in the 17th century and is the moral philosophy of the English-speaking world, was formulated by Bentham and Mill and takes into account the general benefit of society on the basis of pleasure. It is an approach that does not see virtues, which are the backbone of morality, as essential because it accepts social interest and pleasure as the basis. Again, an understanding of humanity that sees people as beings with pure ambition and egoism, such idea that regards man is a wolf to man, and that is based on the motto that big fish eats the litle, is an understanding of humanity that excludes the altruism, which is characteristic of morality. If we want to fundamentally solve ethical problems in the fields of economics and politics, we need an approach that considers virtues and altruism as essential. This study emphasizes that the understanding of virtue of Aristotle and Islamic philosophers should be taken as a basis in solving problems in the field of economics and politics. It concludes that elements such as property, wealth and position, which are also at stake in the fields of economy and politics, have instrumental rather than values. Our article is a problem-oriented, partly systematic analysis, compilation article. Our study is based on the idea of shaping economic and political life from the perspective of virtue ethics.