Flatfish including turbot and halibut present unique welfare challenges in aquaculture due to their benthic lifestyle, territorial behavior, and specific environmental needs that are difficult to meet in intensive systems.
Flatfish welfare in aquaculture requires understanding the benthic ecology of these animals and designing systems around their specific behavioral and physiological needs. Unlike pelagic fish that distribute vertically in water columns, flatfish compete for two-dimensional floor space, making stocking density calculations fundamentally different from other species. Systems that provide adequate floor area, appropriate substrate, and suitable lighting create conditions where flatfish can express resting and territorial behaviors that indicate positive welfare. The high commercial value of turbot and halibut creates economic incentive for welfare investment but also pressure to maximize stocking that conflicts with welfare needs.