The Fish Vet's Blog

The topic of what’s the best antibiotics has been rather popular on my blog and also a topic of great interest at my recent presentation to the Koi Society of WA on treating fish with ulcers. So, I think this might be a good time to resurrect one of my old YouTube clips that’s pertinent to the topic.

Sentinel species are used to inform us about environmental processes that are too difficult or too expensive to measure directly. In conservation biology, an ideal sentinel species is a large-bodied, wide-ranging creature occupying top positions in local food webs.

Historically sentinel species were used on a presence-absence basis, much like a canary in a coal mine. Unfortunately, by the time such a sentinel vanished to indicate that a habitat was deteriorating, it was too late to save what remained.

In the aquatic realm, a different choice of species would be more appropriate so that we can detect when habitats are becoming degraded long before the top predator species disappears; when there is still plenty of time to work with local wildlife managers to save these habitats.

 
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If you’re in the area and require a fish vet to attend to your sick fish, give Dr Loh a call.

Hmmmm… This article reminds me that a lot of people are certainly confused about freshwater versus marine fishes. It astounds me…

http://mobile.news.com.au/world/skark-falls-from-sky-on-to-californian-golf-club/story-fndir2ev-1226503684498

There has been some recent activity on Twitter about FADs. FADs are artificially put, flotsam as a fishing aid since many fish will gather around such structures.

There’s been a lot of negative press surrounding FADs, but this is all in relation to overfishing and by catch issues (see article link below).

Click to access PEG_OSD_FADs_English_Final.pdf

But I wonder if we can turn things around, and use this gem of fishing knowledge to replenish marine life? See pictured below, an excerpt from the above document:

I would liken this to putting out nest boxes for birds and bats, like maintaining wildlife corridors in suburbia, like sinking a ship to make an artificial reef.

What do you think? Do you think that we could be installing FADs around the place, but protect them from being fished? Would this create alternative nursery-like habitats to help with replenishing fish stocks in a semi-natural way?

http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2190265/aquatic-disease-user-guide-edition-4.pdf

AUSTRALIA – South Australia’s aquatic animal disease response capabilities will be under the microscope in coming weeks, as part of a national exercise to test our emergency response preparedness.

http://aquatichealth.net/node/62980

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Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
BSc BVMS MPhil MANZCVS (Aq & Pathol)
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia.
Veterinary Medicine for fish.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383

It seems like triploids have different optimal environmental parameters among other things. Could this be the reason for the increased incidence of AGD (amoebic gill disease), yersiniosis and other diseases among salmon farms?

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Reviews in Fisheries Science
Volume 20, Number 4 (October 2012)
	Welfare Considerations of Triploid Fish
	Authors:	ThomasW. K. Fraser 1, PerGunnar Fjelldal 2, Tom Hansen 2, Ian Mayer 1
	Author Affiliations:	1: Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science 2: Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Matre Research Station
	Source:	Reviews in Fisheries Science, Volume 20, Number 4 (October 2012)
	Page Numbers:	192 – 211
	Available Full Text:	Full Text: Subscription Required to view full text Format: PDF Size: unknown Location: Publisher’s Site Authentication: EBSCOhost EJS
	Abstract:	Aquaculture production continues to increase to satisfy global demand, and as such, issues relating to its environmental sustainability and the welfare of fish are becoming more prominent within society. Sterile triploid fish (possessing one additional chromosome set to the more natural diploid state) are in use in aquaculture and fisheries management to avoid the problems associated with unwanted early sexual maturation and genetic interactions between wild and cultured fish. Triploids are physiologically and behaviorally similar to diploids, although ploidy effects do exist.This review focuses on the welfare of triploid fish within aquaculture and fisheries management. The main conclusions are that triploids appear more susceptible to temperature stress, have a higher incidence of deformities, and are less aggressive than their diploid counterparts. However, considerable knowledge gaps exist in triploid physiology and performance; therefore, triploid requirements for water quality, nutritional requirements, stocking densities, and slaughter methods cannot be fully assessed. In addition, other than growth and survival, no information exists on the performance of triploids when released into natural environments, and this is of considerable concern, as triploids are commonly used in catch-and-release fisheries. These matters become more pressing with today’s increased emphasis on animal welfare.
	Citation:	ThomasW. K. Fraser, PerGunnar Fjelldal, Tom Hansen, Ian Mayer . Welfare Considerations of Triploid Fish. Reviews in Fisheries Science, Volume 20, Number 4 (October 2012), pp. 192-211, ;
	URL:	http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=4F5B87B07B0C1390F7DF

and other

http://deepseanews.com/2012/10/the-mystery-of-lobster-shell-disease/

Fish vet job..

Begin forwarded message:

From: “Dr. David Scarfe” ;
Date: 25 October 2012 2:47:14 AWST
Subject: AquaVetMed: Aquatic Veterinarian Position – Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture (Canada)

October 24, 2012
Permanent Position – Veterinarian 1-2, Aquaculture, Shelburne. Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture

Aquaculture Division, Quote Competition #REL-0474CD-CB
Closing Date: November 20, 2012
Salary Range: $56,044.82 – $83,638.10/annually (eligibility of a market adjustment of 15% may be applicable.)

Duties:
· Reporting to the Provincial Fish Health Veterinarian, Aquaculture Division, the incumbent provides a full spectrum fish health extension service, including the provision of rapid and competent disease diagnosis for the aquaculture industry and to the fish culture section of the Office.
· Laboratory and other findings are reported to the producer where required, recommendations are made for treatment and/or control. The incumbent will routinely serve as the practitioner and will be responsible for the clinical care for the stocks in question. Will represent the province and provide services to fulfill mandates of the Office legislation and policy.
· Conduct field investigations into fish health problems on private farms within the aquaculture industry and on the Office’s fish culture facilities, including the collection and field preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis.
· Conduct post mortems, examine specimens and run tests to diagnose fish diseases. Conduct investigative research of fish disease problems and their treatment.
· Provide written reports or findings and consult with Aquaculturists, Fish Health Officials and practising Veterinarians, both in person and by telephone. Prepare and deliver presentation to Aquaculturists, Government Officials, students and the public on fish health matters.
· Administrative and supervisory duties that include ordering laboratory supplies, verifying and signing reports and provide supervision and direction to fish health staff.
· Represent the Province on fish health matters to Provincial counterparts and Federal Regulatory bodies; provide direction regarding divisional fish health policy.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and meet the qualifications for license to practice with the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association. The candidate must have excellent skills in communicating with clients, colleagues and other government officials. Background and training in aquatic animal health is an asset. The candidate must be capable of extensive travel, work in remote areas, on the water around fish farms and boats, working extended hours and be available for on-call duty. A driver’s license is required, as well as computer literacy.

Applications from all qualified candidates are welcomed and encouraged. An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer.

For more information and to apply online, go to http://tinyurl.com/8eo8v8o.
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