Are ‘bolder’ ballan wrasse better at delousing farmed salmon?

Ballan wrasse is one of the species used as cleaner fish in salmon farming. Their natural behaviour includes picking sea lice off salmon, providing a gentle and continuous method of ridding farmed fish of parasites.

The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has funded a study into Ballan wrasse’s personalities and behaviours to determine whether bolder wrasse are better at keeping salmon clean. The team will also explore the best and most comfortable conditions for Ballan wrasse to perform this role.