The Fish Vet's Blog

I received this question recently and it’s quite a common one I get asked. Very often, fish injure themselves during a fight and they may sustain damage to their fins and scales. Do they repair and do they regrow?

Yes, tails and fins can regrow, but usually, not necessarily to the same length. But unlike hair and nails, the tissues in the fins are living. Scales can regrow, similar to nails, so long as the scale pits are not damaged. I often pluck scales away from ulcerated areas to help healing because the calcified structures may inhibit quick repair. I also pluck scales in preparation for surgery, along the incision site.

There are so many things that can regrow in fish. In fact, researchers are studying the zebrafish on just how they do so. Research has shown that zebrafish can regenerate not only their fins and scales, but also the liver, pancreas, heart and spinal cord! When they understand the mechanisms these fish use to regenerate their organs, the information can be used to try to help human patients.

Although we’re heading into the middle of autumn, there are still some warm days around. Some of your temperate fish may have been lucky to survive several heat waves, but be aware that a more permanent type water cooling might be necessary for future summers.

In the meantime, take a look at a previous post (an oldie, but a goodie) – https://thefishvet.com/2012/01/24/how-do-protect-fish-from-the-heat/

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Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology) Murdoch, 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

Looking for more books? Check out this site.

Last week I was asked, “Who are some of the experts in aquatic veterinary medicine?”

Off the top of my head, I listed some Aussie fish vets’ names.

Some of the “oldies” who’ve postgraduate qualifications and experience related to aquatic animal health include Drs:
Matt Landos
Stephen Pyecroft
Judith Handlinger
Richmond Loh
Robert Jones
Alistair Brown
Rachel Bowater
Roger Chong
Ian Anderson
Susan Kueh
David Blyde
Zoe Spiers

Some of the new veterinary graduates include Drs:
Brett DePoister
Sandy Ypelaan
Jo Bannister
Erin Kelly

Of course there are more than these and they can include those who dabble in aquatics either clinically, or in pathology, research and welfare sectors. The list also continues to grow as more and more veterinarians are paying greater attention to this traditionally neglected area.

At last count, according to Dr Pin Needham, while he was preparing his presentation at the IAAAM Conference in Gold Coast, there are at least 100 Australian veterinarians who deal with aquatic animals in some form or other.

I purchased some live yabbies from a local fish shop recently to stock my backyard aquaponics. This individual was weak and had some white fuzz on its shell.

What causes white fluffy growths on yabbies? Is it safe to eat it?

With my trusty microscope and handy iPhone, I managed to take a happy snap of a bunch of stalked peritrichous protozoa. These are Epistylis organisms. These parasites are secondary pathogens and it’s more an indication of poor water or environment quality where the yabby was raised. It reflects waters with high organic matter and possibly low dissolved oxygen. In low amounts it’s not an issue, but high loads can be a health concern for the crustacean.

Management will incorporate improving their tank or dam conditions before it’s too late.

It’s not an issue for human health safety, the yabby and its mate went into the pot (but not before I took more samples for further testing!)!

And how about the story of his mate?

To be continued…

I received a query from a colleague recently, “How do you handle sampling with house calls? If I do a house call and do scrapings and fin/gill cuttings how do I get the sample and slides to hold overnight to make it to the microscope?”

My response below:

I’ve been making dry preps for viewing neat, and then again, after staining with Diff Quik. Unless they’re packed with bugs, I find the dry preparations unsatisfactory for making a definitive diagnosis.

For purposes of teaching, I’ve come across the Frame Seal Slides (see previous post), but these are preserved in formalin and you’ll miss the main diagnostic feature, which is, motility.

I carry a portable microscope to the site. This way I can make a diagnosis on the spot and provide treatment options straight away. The wet preparations need to be examined within 2-5 minutes so you’ll see the parasites moving.

I’ve spent over ten years, sitting behind a microscope as a veterinary pathologist. I’ve spent thousands of dollars and been through a variety of scopes, trying to find a decent one. I know a good one when I use it. In fact, I liked the one I use so much, now I’m selling the scope myself.

It’s available from my website’s store –
http://thefishvet.com.au

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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@gmail.com
P: +61 (0)421 822 383

Q: What’s the funniest fish in the ocean?

A: a clownfish!

If you’re working in a public aquarium, or raising some large fish at home, and you feed them thawed frozen food, they might be deficient in some important vitamins and minerals. Did you know that many water-soluble nutrients such as B vitamins are lost as foods are thawed?

At the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA), I compared the commercially available nutritional supplements available for sharks, studied various scientific texts on fish nutrition, and came up with a tailored supplement for the sharks I help look after. This recipe is attached below. This recipe can also be tailored to your fish.

So if you’re serious about your fish’s health, drop me a line and let me see how I can help you and your aquarium.

This is why I love the oceans and water life!

Read more at this link :
http://mobile.news.com.au/technology/environment/the-mindblowing-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-ocean/story-fnjww1so-1226880663232

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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

It’s great that the myth of fish having poor memories is being busted on mainstream media.
http://mobile.news.com.au/technology/science/dr-karl-busts-popular-science-myths/story-fnjwl2dr-1226873580703

A new viral disease has been discovered according to research from the Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU).

It is a cetacean morbilivirus (CeMV). Already we have seen morbiliviruses jump from animal to human as in the case of the Hendra virus in horses (equine morbilivirus), that originates from bats.

Lab tests testing showed that this CeMV is closely related to similar viruses that infect land mammals! Could it potentially jump into humans? Thankfully, the marine mammal morbiliviruses are more closely related to the canine distemper. So we need to at least keep dogs away from dolphins. But based on the Hendravirus, we still need to take precautions when interacting with dolphins, particularly those that are sick. So perhaps no more kissing dolphins for me 😦