Shared rules (all types)

• Language: English. Have the text checked if none of the authors is a fluent writer.
• File: .docx from the official template. PDF-only submissions are not accepted.
• Anonymity: the main file may include names; we do not require double-blind review.
• Ethics: name the ethics committee and protocol number for vertebrate or cephalopod work. Field sampling needs permits.
• Data: put raw tables or a repository link in the data statement.
• Figures: TIFF or PNG, ≥300 dpi; captions under each figure in the file.
• References: author–year in text; full list at the end (see template).
• ORCID of the corresponding author is required.

Popular article

Short, plain English. One idea, few citations, no dense statistics. Write for a farm manager or undergraduate, not only for specialists. 1–3 figures or photos help.

Brief report

One result or field note. Combined methods–results is fine. Keep tables small.

Photo note

High-resolution images come first. Add species names, place, date and a short scientific point.

Comment / correspondence

A short, citable comment. Name the paper or policy you are discussing.

Original research

Title; authors; affiliations; abstract 200–250 words; 4–6 keywords; Introduction; Material and methods; Results; Discussion (or Results and discussion); Conclusions; Acknowledgements; Funding; Conflicts; Data availability; References. Report sample size, species authority, water-quality ranges and feed composition. Do not split results across several thin papers if they are one experiment.

Review / systematic review

State whether the paper is a narrative review or a systematic review. Systematic reviews must name the databases, dates, inclusion rules and PRISMA-style flow. Cite primary studies, not only other reviews.

Short communication

One tight question, one main figure or table. Combined Results and discussion is preferred. No more than 25 references.

Methods / protocol

Must be usable by another laboratory or farm. Include reagents or husbandry settings in enough detail to repeat. If the method was used to produce biological results, put those results in a separate research article or a short results box.

Technical note

Describe the device, script, pond layout or analytical shortcut. Include a photograph or schematic. State limitations in one paragraph.

Data paper

The dataset is the result. Describe collection, variables, missingness, licence and a persistent link (Zenodo, Figshare, Dryad or institutional repository). Do not hide the analysis paper inside the data paper.

Case study

Farm, hatchery, outbreak, restocking or policy case. Give context, timeline, interventions and what can be generalised. Patient or farm identity must be protected.

Perspective / opinion

A clear claim, evidence that already exists, and what should change. New unpublished experiments belong in a research article, not here.

Book chapter

Answer an open call on the Calls page. Abstract first (400–600 words), then the full chapter after invitation. Structure: title, authors, abstract, keywords, numbered sections, figures, references. One chapter = one theme; do not paste a whole thesis.

Extension / practice paper

What a technician can do on Monday morning. Include stocking, feed, water or cost numbers that a farm can copy.

Long review / monograph article

Use only when the topic needs more room than a standard review. Add a contents list after the abstract.