>
  • Home
  • People +
    • ACADEMIC STAFF >
      • Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson
      • Camille A. Leblanc
      • David Benhaim
      • Paul V. Debes
      • Skúli Skúlason
      • Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
    • SUPPORT STAFF >
      • Marie Delbasty
    • STUDENTS AND POSTDOC >
      • Grant Haines
    • ALUMNI
  • Education
    • AQUACULTURE DIPLOMA
    • MASTER IN AQUATIC BIOLOGY
    • NORDIC MASTER - MARBIO
  • Research +
    • Biodiversity lab >
      • FishFAR
      • ECO-EVO-DEVO
      • Evolution of cognition: A study of sympatric morphs of Arctic charr
      • Microevolutionary processes in small populations
      • The importance of egg size for phenotypic variations and divergence in wild populations
    • Aquaculture lab >
      • Development of personality in the Arctic charr
      • Egg quality and growth in selected Arctic charr
      • Enhanced Soy Protein for Salmonid Aquafeeds
      • Breeding program
    • Publications
    • Research policy >
      • Research Policy of the Department of Aquaculture & Fish Biology
      • Appendix 1 - Focus of Research
      • Appendix 2 - Storage and access to databases
      • Appendix 3 - Storage and registration of samples
  • Facilities+
    • Our research station
    • Breeding station
  • SYMPOSIUM
    • SEMINAR SERIES
    • Mývatn Conference 2024
    • Stickleback 2022
  • News
  • WORK WITH US
    • INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS
    • LIVE AT HÓLAR
  • CONTACT
David Benhaïm 
 Professor ​
[email protected]
00 354 895 63 56

​Curriculum Vitae
​
Researchgate

Orcid
​

Member of the Nordic Network on Fish Welfare (NNFW) :
​https://nnfw.dtu.dk/members/holar
Picture

Research interest
My research focuses on examining behavioral responses—such as swimming activity, feeding patterns, personality traits, and cognitive abilities—in response to various biotic and abiotic factors. I apply this approach across different contexts, working closely with collaborators from other research fields. In partnership with evolutionary ecologists, I explore how ecological and evolutionary factors influence fish behavior, as well as how behavioral mechanisms might play a role in shaping biodiversity within and between populations. In the field of aquaculture, my goal is to gain insights into how fish adapt to farming environments and to assess welfare aspects (e.g., feed trials, farming practices) using behavior as a non-invasive assessment tool.

Ongoing Research Projects

2023-2026: Rannís grant (Icelandic Research Fund 239536-051): PI of the project “Development of personality in the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)“.
 
2022-2025: Rannís grant (Icelandic Research Fund 217596-051): Collaborator on the project aiming at studying: Territoriality, foraging and spatial organisation in stream salmonids: repeatability and plasticity.

Former Research Projects
​

2019-2024: Rannís grant. PI of the project aiming at assessing the evolution of cognition and personality of sympatric morphs of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus).

2018-2019: AVS grant. Co-applicant of the project aiming at assessing the benefits of a new prebiotic-enhanced soy meal and its impact on growth performance, gut health and welfare of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus).
​
Picture
Picture

Current students 
PhD
Sabine Lobligeois, 2023- Development of personality in the Arctic charr. HU, Iceland.

MSc students
Alex Zinck, 2025- Physiological mechanisms underlying personality in the Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). HU, Iceland.
​
Former graduate students  
PhD 
Dellinger, M. 2019-2024. Eco-evolutionary processes in personality and spatial cognition of Arctic charr morphs (Salvelinus alpinus). HU, Iceland. 

Beukeboom, R. 2019-2023. Can personality predict movement patterns and space use in fishes ? HU, Iceland. 

Leeper, A. 2018-2021. A multi-disciplinary approach using growth performance, gut microbiome, and behaviour to characterise and optimise the impact of dietary protein supply for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) aquaculture., Norwegian University of Life Sciences: NMBU, Matís, Hólar University.

MSc 
Bennett, L. 2020-2024. Influence of River Proximity on Water Quality and Its Impact on Caribbean Mangrove Oyster Populations: A Case Study in Bowden Bay, St. Thomas, Jamaica. MS in Aquatic biology, Hólar University. I was the main supervisor of the MS research project. 
 
Philip, J. 2019-2021. Effects of environmental enrichment on personality traits in juvenile Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus): interplay with brain morphology, growth performance and implication for welfare. HUC, Iceland.

Publications
Missinhoun Dagoudo, A., Benhaïm, D., & Montchowu, E. (2025). Current status and prospects for efficient aquaculture of the African bonytongue, Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier, 1829): Review. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 56, 2. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.70009

​Dellinger, M., Caperaa, M., Le Clech, R., Quéru, J., Philip, J., & Benhaïm, D. (2025). Do animal personality components independently evolve and develop in response to environmental complexity? Animal Behaviour, 221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2025.123077

Atchamou, J., Kpogue, D., Lokonon, F., Dagoudo, M., Koussovi, G., Benhaïm, D., & Montchowui, E. (2024). Effect of dietary protein and lipid ratios on zootechnical performance and body composition of African native freshwater prawn Macrobrachium macrobrachion (Herklots, 1851) juveniles. Aquaculture Research. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2384480

Beukeboom, R., & Benhaïm, D. (2024). How to measure exploration: A combined estimation method. Behavioural Processes, 216, 104998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2024.104998

Benhaïm, D., Sauphar, C., Berlizot, B., Ladurée, G., Knobloch, S., Björnsdóttir, R., Øverland, M., & Leeper, A. (2024). Effect of soybean meal enhancements on juvenile Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) growth performance, gut microbiome and behavior. Applied Animal Behaviour Sciences, 276, 106328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106328

Dellinger, M., Suret, L., Choblet, M., Jozet-Alves, C., & Benhaïm, D. (2024). Methodological approach to investigating spatial cognition in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Journal of Fish Biology, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15936

Mwainge, V., Vang, A., Ogwai, C., Obuya, J., & Benhaïm, D. (2024). An assessment of the knowledge attitude and practices (KAP) on biosecurity and best management practices in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cage aquaculture in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management, 29, 12464. https://doi.org/10.1111/lre.12464

Beukeboom, R., Phillips, J. S., Ólafsdóttir, G. Á., & Benhaïm, D. (2023). Personality in juvenile Atlantic cod ecotypes and implications for fisheries management. Ecology and Evolution, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9952

Benhaïm, D., Vernier, L., & Leblanc, C. A. (2023). Personality and temporal plasticity in fish populations along a gradient of evolutionary divergence. Animal Behaviour, 199, 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.02.010

Dellinger, M., Steele, S. E., Sprockel, E., Philip, J., Pálsson, Á., & Benhaïm, D. (2023). Variation in personality shaped by evolutionary history, genotype and developmental plasticity in response to feeding modalities in the Arctic charr. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 290, 20232302. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2302

Kleiber, A., Stomp, M., Rouby, M., Ferreira, V. H. B., Bégout, M.-L., Benhaïm, D., Labbé, L., Tocqueville, A., Levadoux, M., Calandreau, L., Guesdon, V., & Colson, V. (2023). Cognitive enrichment to increase fish welfare in aquaculture: A review. Aquaculture. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2023.739654

Leeper, A., Sauphar, C., Berlizot, B., Ladurée, G., Koppe, W., Knobloch, S., Skírnisdóttir, S., Björnsdóttir, R., Øverland, M., & Benhaïm, D. (2023). EEnhancement of soybean meal alters gut microbiome and influences behavior of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Animal, 13(16), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162591

Beukeboom, R., Morel, A., Phillips, J., Ólafsdóttir, G. Á., & Benhaïm, D. (2022). Activity vs exploration: Locomotion in a known and unknown environment differs in Atlantic cod juveniles (Gadus morhua). Behavioural Processes, 202, 104736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104736

Leeper, A., Benhaïm, D., Smárason, B. Ö., Knobloch, S., Òmarsson, K. L., Bonnafoux, T., & Øverland, M. (2022). Feeding black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) reared on organic rest streams alters gut characteristics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 8(11), 1355–1372. https://doi.org/10.3920/jiff2021.0105

Leeper, A., Ekmay, R., Knobloch, S., Skírnisdóttir, S., Varunjikar, M., Dubois, M., Smárason, B. Ö., Árnason, J., Koppe, W., & Benhaïm, D. (2022). Torula yeast in the diet of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and the impact on growth performance and gut microbiome. Scientific Reports, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04413-2

Philip, J., Dellinger, M., & Benhaïm, D. (2022). Among-individual variation of risk-taking behaviour in group and solitary context is uncorrelated but independently repeatable in a juvenile Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) aquaculture strain. Applied Animal Behaviour Sciences, 249, 105596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105596

Horta-Lacueva, Q. J. B., Benhaïm, D., Morrissey, M. B., Snorrason, S. S., & Kapralova, K. H. (2021). Animal personality adds complexity to the processes of adaptive divergence and speciation. Animal Behaviour, 175, 57–73. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.02.971614

Knobloch, S., Philip, J., Ferrari, S., Benhaïm, D., Bertrand, M., & Poirier, I. (2021). The effect of ultrasonic antifouling control on the growth and microbiota of farmed European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 164, 112072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112072

Benhaïm, D., Leblanc, C. A. L., Horri, K., Mannion, K., Galloway, M., Leeper, A., Knobloch, S., Sigurgeirsson, Ó., & Thorarensen, H. (2020). The effect of triploidy on the performance, gut microbiome and behaviour of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) raised at low temperature. Applied Animal Behaviour Sciences, 229, 105031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105031

Kreilling, A.-K., O´Gorman, E. J., Pálsson, S., Benhaïm, D., Leblanc, C. A. L., Ólafsson, J., & Kristjánsson, B. K. (2020). Seasonal variation in the invertebrate community and diet of a top fish predator in a thermally stable spring. Hydrobiologia, 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-020-04409-5
​

Poirier, I., Benhaïm, D., Poizot, E., et al. (2020). Marine aggregates in North Atlantic coast: Microbial characteristics and potential interactions with farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Marine Environmental Research, 157, 104864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.104864

Leblanc, C. A. L., Horri, K., Skúlason, S., & Benhaïm, D. (2019). Subtle temperature increase can interact with individual size and social context in shaping phenotypic traits of a coldwater fish. PLOS ONE, 14(3), e0213061. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213061

Benhaïm, D., Akian, D. D., Ramos, M., Ferrari, S., Yao, K., & Bégout, M.-L. (2017). Self-feeding behaviour and personality traits in tilapia: A comparative study between Oreochromis niloticus and Sarotherodon melanotheron. Applied Animal Behaviour Sciences, 187, 85–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2016.12.004
​

Benhaïm, D., Ferrari, S., Colchen, T., Chatain, B., & Bégout, M.-L. (2017). Relationship between individual and group learning in a marine teleost: A case study with sea bass under self-feeding conditions. Learning & Behavior, 45(3), 276–286. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-017-0266-1

Ferrari, S., Horri, K., Allal, F., Vergnet, A., Benhaïm, D., Vandeputte, M., Chatain, B., & Bégout, M.-L. (2016). Heritability of boldness and hypoxia avoidance in European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax. PLOS ONE, 11, e0168506. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168506

O’Brien, C., Bowie, M., Billard, P., Darmaillacq, S., Jozet-Alves, C., Benhaïm, D., Basuyaux, O., & Dickel, L. (2016). The effect of an artificial incubation environment on hatchling size and behavior in the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis. Life and Environment, 66, 97–105. ​https://wwwphp.obs-banyuls.fr/Viemilieu/index.php/volume-66-2016/66-issue-1/672-article-10.html

Benhaïm, D., Ferrari, S., Chatain, B., & Bégout, M.-L. (2016). The shy prefer familiar congeners. Behavioural Processes, 126, 113–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2016.03.008
​

Ferrari, S., Benhaïm, D., Colchen, T., Chatain, B., & Bégout, M.-L. (2014). First links between self-feeding behaviour and personality traits in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax. Applied Animal Behaviour Sciences 161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.09.019

Benhaïm, D., Bégout, M.L., & Chatain, B. (2013). Exploration and cognition in wild caught and domesticated sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in a maze. Plos one 8(6), e65872. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0065872

Benhaïm, D., Guyomard, R., Chatain, B., Quillet, E. & Bégout, M-L. (2013).  Genetic differences for behaviour in juveniles from two strains of brown trout suggest an effect of domestication history.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science 147: 235-242   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2013.04.022. 

Benhaïm, D., Bégout, M.-L., Péan, S. Manca, M., Prunet, P. & Chatain, B. (2013). Impact of a plant-based diet on behavioural and physiological traits in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Aquatic Living Resources 26: 121-131. https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/2013049. 

Benhaïm, D., Bégout, M-L. & Chatain, B. (2013). Unfamiliar congener used as a visual attractor in wild caught and domesticated sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) placed in a T-maze. Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development 4 : 169-176. https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9546.1000169 

Benhaïm, D., Péan, S., Lucas, G., Blanc, N., Chatain, B., & Bégout, M.-L. (2012). Early life behavioural differences in wild caught and domesticated sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Applied Animal Behaviour Sciences 141, 79-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2012.07.002. 

Benhaïm, D.,  Bégout, M.L., Péan, S., Brisset, B., Leguay, D., & Chatain, B. (2012). Effect of fasting on self-feeding activity in juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in self-feeding conditions. Applied Animal Behaviour Sciences 136, 63-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2011.11.010. 

Benhaïm, D., Péan, S., Brisset, B., Leguay, D., Bégout, M.L., & Chatain, B. (2011). Effect of size grading on Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juvenile self-feeding behaviour, social structure and culture performance. Aquatic Living Resource 24, 391-402. https://doi.org/10.1051/alr/2011140. 

Leblanc, C.A.L., Benhaïm, D., Hansen, B.R., Kristjánsson, B.K., & Skúlason, S., (2011). The Importance of Egg Size and Social Effects for Behaviour of Arctic Charr Juveniles. Ethology 117, 664-674. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0310.2011.01920.x. 

Benhaïm, D., Leblanc, C.A., & Lucas, G. (2009). Impact of a new artificial shelter on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus, L.) behaviour and culture performance during the endogenous feeding period. Aquaculture 295, 38-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2009.06.024. 

Daufresne, T., Lacroix, G., Benhaïm, D., & Loreau, M. (2008). Coexistence of algae and bacteria: a test of the carbon hypothesis. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 53: 323-332. https://doi.org/10.3354/ame01254. 

Benhaïm, D., Skúlason, S., & Hansen, B.R. (2003). Behavioural variation in juvenile Arctic charr in relation to body size. Journal of Fish Biology 62, 1326-1338. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1095-8649.2003.00114.x

Book chapters
Carassou, L., Benhaïm, D., Vagner, M., & Lobry, J. (2024). Trophic Ecology of Marine Fishes. Chapter 6, 25 pages in: Cabral H, Lobry J, Lepape O, Lepage M (dir.). Ecology of Marine Fishes, Elsevier.
​

Millot, S., Bégout, M.-L., Benhaïm, D. (2014). Foraging behaviour. In : The Biology of Sea bass (F.J. Sánchez-Vázquez & J.A. Muñoz-Cueto Eds), Science Publishers, Ltd, British Channel Islands, Enfield, New Hampshire, USA, 207-230 pp.


Teaching
Since 2001, I have been teaching several courses from BSc to MSc levels in ethology, physiology, nutrition, anatomy, aquaculture. Teaching has been given in different universities. 
 
Current teaching
1. Aquaculture diploma (undergraduate level)
  • Harvest and processing (6 ECTS).
  • Fish physiology and water quality in aquaculture (6 ECTS).

2. MARBIO (MS level)
  • Topics in Aquatic Biology (10 ECTS).
  • Fish physiology and water quality in aquaculture (6 ECTS).
  • Home
  • People +
    • ACADEMIC STAFF >
      • Bjarni Kristófer Kristjánsson
      • Camille A. Leblanc
      • David Benhaim
      • Paul V. Debes
      • Skúli Skúlason
      • Stefán Óli Steingrímsson
    • SUPPORT STAFF >
      • Marie Delbasty
    • STUDENTS AND POSTDOC >
      • Grant Haines
    • ALUMNI
  • Education
    • AQUACULTURE DIPLOMA
    • MASTER IN AQUATIC BIOLOGY
    • NORDIC MASTER - MARBIO
  • Research +
    • Biodiversity lab >
      • FishFAR
      • ECO-EVO-DEVO
      • Evolution of cognition: A study of sympatric morphs of Arctic charr
      • Microevolutionary processes in small populations
      • The importance of egg size for phenotypic variations and divergence in wild populations
    • Aquaculture lab >
      • Development of personality in the Arctic charr
      • Egg quality and growth in selected Arctic charr
      • Enhanced Soy Protein for Salmonid Aquafeeds
      • Breeding program
    • Publications
    • Research policy >
      • Research Policy of the Department of Aquaculture & Fish Biology
      • Appendix 1 - Focus of Research
      • Appendix 2 - Storage and access to databases
      • Appendix 3 - Storage and registration of samples
  • Facilities+
    • Our research station
    • Breeding station
  • SYMPOSIUM
    • SEMINAR SERIES
    • Mývatn Conference 2024
    • Stickleback 2022
  • News
  • WORK WITH US
    • INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS
    • LIVE AT HÓLAR
  • CONTACT