Atlantic halibut and turbot are flat-dwelling species with unique welfare requirements in aquaculture. Their behavioral biology demands specific management approaches for optimal welfare.
Halibut and turbot welfare is shaped by their demersal lifestyle in ways that differ fundamentally from pelagic species like salmon. Their need for bottom resting space means that density calculations based on water volume rather than tank floor area systematically underestimate crowding impacts. Welfare improvements require tank designs that maximize usable bottom substrate, management that minimizes competition for resting sites, and monitoring systems that detect behavioral indicators of welfare compromise including reduced feeding and aggression. The long production cycles of halibut mean that welfare investments have extended return periods justifying early design and management attention.