Fish medicine Flashcards
(51 cards)
Role of a vet in the aquatic animal industry?
- Health management & disease prevention
- Aquaculture and food safety
- Conservation and wildlife health
- Regulatory and policy roles
- Education & training
- Ornamental fish and public aquariums
- Research & conservation of aquatic ecosystem
- Exotic species and zoonotic dx control
What important consideration?
VENOMOUS SPECIES
what notes on initial contact ?
- Advise client to send pictures of set up & history
- Ensure staff prepared -> block off time to examine +/- diagnostics
- Advise on transport & what to bring (separate bags of water, spare acquarium bags, sealed container with water, for testing)
How can we be ‘fish ready’
- Willing vet/RVN
- High quality microscope
- Slides/coverslips
- Hand held lens
- Powder free gloves
- Basic surgical kit
- Water testing kit -> API freshwater master test kit
When would we do home visits/ why?
● For larger set ups/outdoor ponds.
○ Full assessment easier → can see bigger picture.
■ Filtration methods → biological vs mechanical.
■ Water quality → appearance, smell, temperature, aquatic plants,
algae growth.
■ Stocking density.
What biosecurity to remember?
● Remember to take microscope!
● Remember to take basic equipment for sedation for pond side diagnostics
What biosecurity to be aware of?
■ Koi herpes virus (Cyprinid herpesvirus 3) → notifiable
■ Spring Viraemia of Carp → notifiable
Quarantine ?
○ Isolate new fish for 30-90 days before introducing them to the main tank.
○ Use a separate tank with proper filtration and heater.
Maintenance of water quality?
○ Perform regular visual inspections and water quality tests.
■ Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, dissolved oxygen, temp and pH levels regularly.
■ Ammonia should be 0mg/l. Nitrite should be 0mg/l.
■ Nitrate is less toxic BUT levels of 50mg/l & above may be LETHAL to some
species.
■ Nitrate is more toxic in salt water & at a low pH.
How often to change water?
Perform 10-30% water changes weekly or bi-weekly, depending on set-up/species
How to remove chlorine?
use water conditioners.natural emthods
New tank syndrome?
- NEW TANK MUST BE CONDITIONED BEFORE ANY FISH ADDED
- ADD TOO EARLY → RAPID SPIKE IN AMMONIA, NITRITES & NITRATES = DEATH
What to filtrations do we want?
Biological ->
- gravel or media within filter;
- bacteria within gravel converting ammonia -> nitrites -> nitrates
Mechanical ->
○ Use of water → water drawn in through media → traps waste
○ Must be cleaned regularly (10-14 days) with approx. 10%
water change weekly
Water changes?
○ Treat new water before adding
○ Treatment to remove chlorine, chloramines & heavy metals
How to ensure optimal filtration system?
○ Use of mechanical, biological and chemical filtration
(carbon).
■ If under treatment, carbon must be removed from
tanks
○ Clean or replace filter media as recommended.
○ Ensure the filter & flow rate is appropriately sized for
the tank.
What is appropriate stocking density?
○ Follow the guidelines for the species (marine fish →
lowest stocking density)
■ Based on water volume & surface area + fish
species
○ Ensure fish have adequate space to swim and hide.
○ Consider the bioload when stocking the tank.
Diet & feeding practices?
○ Feed a varied, species-appropriate diet.
○ Feed small portions and remove uneaten food.
○ Avoid overfeeding to prevent poor water quality.
tank cleaning?
○ Perform regular gravel vacuuming during water
changes.
○ Clean decorations and plants to remove algae.
○ Avoid drastic water changes that could shock the
fish.
Stability of environment ?
○ Maintain stable temperature and water conditions.
○ Provide hiding spots for fish to feel secure.
○ Place tanks in quiet areas to avoid stress from noise/vibrations.
routine health assessments?
○ observations for signs of illness (e.g., white spot, frayed fins, lumps/bumps).
■ Look for common signs of parasites, bacterial infections, and fungal diseases.
○ Any behavioural changes?
○ Appropriate handling – only when necessary.
■ Use a soft net and care when handling – minimise stress & physical damage.
■ Isolate and treat any sick fish in a quarantine tank.
History pt 1 ?
History pt 2?
History pt 3?
Describe how to do water testing?
○ API master kit → ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, oxygen content
■ Ideally water should be tested onsite but if not possible get
client to bring a sealed, filled (clean) container of water.
■ Specific guidelines → measured volume added to
measured amount of chemical → colour change →
compare to chart
■ Don’t forget the temperature!
○ Low oxygen and poor water quality can stress fish and contribute
to disease.
