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Anatomy of a Fish

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Anatomy of a Fish anatomy of a fi sh Internal Anatomy of a Fish Gill Filaments Anterior + Gill Arch Posterior Kidney Brain Swim Bladder Heart Gonad Liver Stomach Gall Intestine Spleen Bladder Cloaca External Anatomy of a Fish Dorsal Fin Operculum Adipose Fin Caudal Nostril Fin Lateral Line Barbel Sensory Slime Pits +Skin Anal Fin Pectoral Pelvic Fins Fins Cloaca TECHNICAL NOTES ANATOMY OF A FISH 31 stress and the immune system The Commercial Handling of Fish Generally speaking, aquarium fi sh are remarkably hardy creatures, and providing that we not only keep them in an environment that suits them, but also that we feed them properly, they are likely to remain healthy. Conversely, if we stress them suffi ciently they are likely to become sick. Diagrams Illustrating the Effects of Environment on Fish Health LATENT INFECTION DECLINING ENVIRONMENT IMPROVING FISH HEALTH DECLINING FISH HEALTH RECOVERING ENVIRONMENT DISEASE DEATH At times we inadvertently subject fi sh to stressful conditions. Our aim must be to minimise the degree, the duration and the frequency of stress. The following list contains a few examples of what aquarium fi sh may be subjected to before or after they reach the home aquarium. • The shipping process/transport stress • Pollution • Crowding • Pathogens • Lowered oxygen levels • Electrical changes • High carbon dioxide levels • Aggression by other fi sh • Abrupt changes in temperature, hardness, • Excessive water velocity and conductivity • Photostress • Exposure to ammonia, nitrite and other toxins • Noise or vibration • Psychological strain • Nutritional problems • Low or High pH • Injury Relationship Of Stress To Disease Most aquarists would have had the experience of severe stress on fi sh, which has lead to almost immediate death. Recent studies have shown that an accumulation of a series of less severe stresses can cause delayed fi sh deaths, which may occur days after a non-lethal stress. A single stress changes the fi sh’s body functions, which enable it to adapt to the stress. If the stress continues, the normal disease fi ghting function of the fi sh’s body is exhausted, resulting in disease organism invasion. HOST PATHOGEN DISEASE ENVIRONMENT TECHNICAL NOTES 32 STRESS AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM stress and the immune system Host + Pathogen + Unsuitable Environment = Disease It therefore follows, that a situation free of any one of the above mentioned three components, will reduce or remove the possibility of disease. The Immune System Fish live in an environment containing many bacterial, fungal, viral and other pathogenic agents. If they did not have a good defence system, they would be swamped and consumed. We now know that fi sh have a well-developed immune system, made up of an intricate network of chemical protectors and microbiological killers. The immune system of fi sh is able to cope with many bacteria, which are found on the surface and within the fi sh. Stress upsets this balance in favour of the harmful bacteria Stress Scale PATHOGEN IMMUNE (50%) SYSTEM (50%) Skin and Mucous Coating The body slime and skin is the primary defence barrier. The mucus prevents invasion by continuous loss and replacement. The skin is equipped with enzymes, antibodies and defence cells known as macrophages, which digest and destroy bacteria. Hence the importance of ensuring the skin is not damaged physically, chemically, or by parasites. Macrophages are cells found throughout the body, which are capable of destroying bacteria by a process involving engulfment and enzymatic digestion. These cells, which are microscopic are very important in protecting the fi sh from bacterial infection. Their effi ciency is reduced by hormonal changes resulting from stress. Specifi c Defence Mechanisms Fish, like humans, can be immunised against bacteria and at least one protozoan (white spot disease). This can happen by natural exposure, or by vaccination. However, at this time, there are no vaccines commercially available to the aquarium trade in Australia. a) Tests have shown that acquired specifi c immunity is not passed on to the offspring. b) Fishes’ immunity seems to lessen at lower temperatures. This may explain why problems (e.g. goldfi sh ulcer disease) often develop with pond fi sh, in changing seasons, with rising temperatures. Increasing water temperatures probably increases the rate of replication of bacteria, which is not matched by the fi shes’ immune (defence) system. Summary Our role is to eliminate as much stress as possible from our fi sh, thus minimising the likelihood of disease. We are fortunate that aquarium fi sh have an effective immune system, which is working for their well being, and indirectly, for our good at the same time. When we use medication on our fi sh, all we are doing is tipping the balance in favour of the fi sh, by hindering the disease organism. TECHNICAL NOTES STRESS AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM 33 disease symptoms and treatments Illness Identifi cation The fi rst step to determining a treatment regime is to ascertain the cause of the problem. Is it Environmental or Pathogenic Disease? If it is pathogenic disease is it Parasitic or Bacterial? These fi rst important steps require a thorough knowledge of acceptable parameters for water quality, and the ability to diagnose diseases, based on changes in behaviour, and external symptoms. Use of a microscope, for examining skin scrapings, and gill biopsies is strongly recommended. External Signs 1. Fish behaving abnormally; keeping to the top or bottom of an aquarium; erratic swimming; shimmying; poor equilibrium; scratching or scraping on objects. 2. Clamped fi ns. 3. Rapid respiration. 4. Abnormal colour, cloudy eyes, darkening, loss of colour. 5. Loss of appetite. 6. Skin abnormalities, cotton-like tufts, lesions, white spots, excessive mucus, greyish patches, haemorrhages. 7. Swelling or bloating. 8. Emaciation Poor water quality can induce the same symptoms as those caused by pathogenic disease. Before applying treatments check the following: 1. Is pH of water correct for the species? Is the water too acid or too alkaline? 2. Is water hardness and salinity correct for the species? Is water too hard or too soft? - Should water conditioner or extra salt be added? 3. Are their own waste products, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates etc poisoning the fi sh? 4. Is the tank water too old? Insuffi cient partial water changes? 5. Has water been contaminated by poisonous substances, such as fl y spray or pest strips, cigarette tobacco, metals or toxic chemicals, including possible overdose of medications? 6. Is the temperature correct? How long since you have checked your thermometer? 7. Are fi sh too crowded, or incompatible with each other? 8. Have fi sh been fed correctly - is the water polluted with uneaten particles, or are fi sh very thin and starving? 9. Is there suffi cient aeration and fi ltration to ensure adequate gas exchange? 10. Is there an anaerobic condition in the fi lter, producing toxic substances? Water Quality Diseases Remember, many fi sh die as a direct result of unsuitable water quality. Eg. Extremes in pH, ammonia toxicity etc. In less extreme cases, the stress of living in unsuitable water leads to the development of pathogenic disease. TECHNICAL NOTES 34 DISEASE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS disease symptoms and treatments Treatment Rules 1. Do not medicate aquarium until after you have eliminated environmental factors as possible cause of symptoms. 2. Early action is an important factor in determining the success of treatment. Once a disease has been accurately diagnosed, do not waste time before treating. 3. Use effective medications. The wrong diagnosis may lead to improper selection of drugs, which could stress or kill fi sh. 4. If you are having problems with disease diagnosis, contact Aquarium Industries Vet Services for further advice. 5. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully on all remedies. Many medications are highly toxic when overdosed. 6. By cleaning the fi lter and doing a partial water change of about 1/3 before treating, dilutes water-born pathogens, improves water quality, and usually makes the fi sh feel better. 7. REMOVE ACTIVATED CARBON BEFORE ADDING MEDICATION: Activated carbon removes medication quickly, rendering treatment ineffective. Treating Disease The majority of pathogenic diseases encountered in an aquarium can be grouped into two broad categories: PARASITIC, which can be seen either with the naked eye or with the aid of a microscope. BACTERIAL - If water quality is good, and parasites are not detected, then bacterial disease can be suspected. Most medications used with aquarium fi sh are administered via the aquarium water, as a long term, or permanent bath. Recommended Reading The “T.F.H.” Handbook of Fish Diseases (TS 123) by Dieter Untergasser are highly recommended. These books should be in the library of every aquarium and pet shop. The Disease and Symptom Treatment Chart (on the following pages) covers the more common aquarium fi sh diseases. If in doubt call: *Excludes mobile phones TECHNICAL NOTES DISEASE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS 35 36 Disease Name Disease Organism Symptoms Treatment Notes Bacterial Columnaris DiseaseFlexibacter columnaris & Mouth, fi ns and body rot. Primary Use any tetracycline, After 4 days change ½ the water, other bacteria & fungi line of infection is whitish/grey. aquarium medication or then repeat treatment if necessary symptoms and disease, Vibravet (Doxycycline) Vibravet treatment affect bio fi lter DISEASE, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT CHART TREATMENT AND SYMPTOMS DISEASE, at 5mg / litre Neon Splitting Disease Unidentifi ed bacteriaWhite
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