The Fish Vet's Blog

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The most common types are external pads and submersible heaters.

Under-tank pad-type heaters are liked by some because it’s out of sight, making it less messy. They’re not all that efficient (they lose heat to the base and have to hear the tank base, to heat the water) and are only good to raise water temperature only a few degrees above environmental temperature. It works well in a temperature controlled room, like an office.

Submersible heaters are commonly encased in glass. These are fragile. Some are encased in special plastic to make them less likely to break, perfect for boisterous large fishes. Some glass heaters may be fitted with a guard. Submersible heaters are thermostatically controlled and should be more efficient since they are in direct contact with the water. Place at an angle rather than horizontal to avoid fish sitting on the element and getting burnt. Not vertical because it’s less efficient that way, if relying on convection current to circulate water.

Delivery of medications for fish can be extremely challenging. Determining drug-dosing options for our domestic animals is usually fairly straightforward because they are listed on the bottle. Finding appropriate drug dosages for fish species can be quite challenging and often requires a ‘leap of faith’ to try something new or unproven for the first time.

Considerations for oral delivery might include:

• Availability of formulation? – reasonable concentration, compounding options
• Palatability/acceptability of formulation – need to combine with food or water?
• Bioavailability for the species
• Dosing interval required
• Cost

Considerations for injectable delivery might include:

• Concentration available – reasonable volume, compounding options
• Dosing interval required for effective treatment
• Darting options vs. hand-syringe – acceptability for patient
• Cost

Considerations for in-water medication delivery might include:

• Concentration available – reasonable volume, compounding options
• Dosing interval required for effective treatment
• Effect on the biofilter
• Cost

Developing a rational therapeutic plan requires several basic things:

• Understanding the drug in question – researching available pharmacological information
• Understanding the use of the drug in known species
• Understanding the patients physiology, etc. – researching species information

Once these facts are known you can:

• Determine the closest related species for which drug experience is well established
• Extrapolate an ‘optimal’ therapeutic plan based on the available information
• Carefully adjust the ‘optimal’ plan to a safe and effective ‘practical’ plan considering the limitations of the case at hand (remote delivery, frequency of administration options, formulation options, etc.)

 

Fortunately, I have made available, “Fish Vetting Medicines: Formulary of Fish Treatments” and “Fish Vetting Essentials“. The former will be your “little black book” that you’ll be referring to every time you need a dose rate for medicines used in fishes. The red book is to help you diagnose fish ailments.

Get your copy now, at thefishvet.com.au

 

 

 

Please bear with me till I fix the security settings.

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
THE FISH VET, Perth, Western Australia.
Veterinary Medicine for fish.
W: http://www.thefishvet.com.au
E: thefishvet
P: +61 (0)421 822 383

What majestic fish they are.

Enjoy!

See link.

Check this out!

I found this article very interesting. I’ve heard my virology lecturer describe us as being “walking viruses”, but it didn’t occur to me that this makes us “transgenic”!

The article attempts to normalise GMO and transgenics in fish culture. There are certainly a lot of unknowns and we cannot possibly know the consequences for we have not encountered it before. I believe a precautionary principle should apply.

Have a read of this article and see what you think – see link.

There are so many makes of water quality test kits. How do you know which is the best brand? And would you go for the droppers, test strips or meters? Which tests work in both fresh and salt water (including aquaponics)? How do you interpret the results? Are you confused?

The most important question is ,
"Do you want to use what TheFishVet uses?"

After having tried multiple test kits for reliability and ease of use, I’ve hand selected those that are essential for every practicing fish vet or fish doctor. It’ll take away the stress of researching and sourcing the individual tests. With this kit, you’ll be able to determine 16 water quality parameters!

They are perfect for freshwater aquaria/ponds, aquaponics, brackish and marine systems.

With TheFishVet’s Ultimate Field Water Test Kit, you’ll be able to determine values for:

1. Ammonia (NH3/NH4)
2. Nitrite (NO2)
3. Nitrate (NO3)
4. pH
5. KH (alkalinity or carbonate hardness)
6. GH (permanent hardness or general hardness)
7. Calcium (Ca+2)
8. Magnesium (Mg+2)
9. Chlorine (Cl2)
10. Dissolved Oxygen (O2)
11. Copper (Cu+2)
12. Phosphate (PO4)
13. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
14. Water temperature
15. Specific gravity / salinity
16. Water volume

All these come in a handy case because portability is very practical.

Charts are laminated to be waterproof, so you can use them next to ponds.

PLUS, it comes with easy instructions and a handy booklet of reference values for different biotypes and species-specific requirements (extracted from Fish Vetting Essentials).

This special introductory offer will end on June 30.

BUY NOW <TheFishVet’s Shopping Cart.>

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian | Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University | President WAVMA |

Secretary Aquatic Animal Health Chapter – ANZCVS.
THE FISH VET, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA.

Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383

The State of Western Australia (Department of the Premier and Cabinet) is proposing to set up to 60 static baited drum lines. These will be deployed approximately 1km offshore from selected high use swimming beaches and surf breaks within designated Marine Monitored Areas in the metropolitan and south west coastal regions of Western Australia. The static drum lines are to be deployed between 15 November and 30 April for a period of three years, commencing in 2014.

Twelve drum lines will be kept in reserve for temporary deployment in response to a shark threat or incident anywhere in Western Australian waters at any time throughout the year.

Public submissions close on Monday 7 July 2014.

Read more here.

 

 

Follow me on: Facebook “Fin Page” – YouTube – Blog – Linkedin – Twitter

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian | Adjunct Lecturer Murdoch University | President WAVMA |
Secretary Aquatic Animal Health Chapter – ANZCVS.
THE FISH VET, Perth, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA. Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
Skype: thefishvet