All about Fish Vetting – Dr Richmond Loh
Goldfish haematopoietic necrosis virus (GFHNV) is now considered to be endemic in Australia.
“The requirement that exporting countries declare that goldfish intended for Australia are free from the disease is to be removed from relevant importation conditions.”
This is not a good outcome for the health and welfare of goldfishes. Where can we source healthy goldfish now?
In the July edition of American Journal of Veterinary Research, it mentions several universities were planning to offer new veterinary curriculum – an accelerated program that would last 6 years rather than the standard 8 years for completion.
I came across this article earlier this month in the West Australian.
Under anesthesia, fish can be out if water for more than an hour, provided the fish is kept moist and the gills are irrigated with oxygenated water. Fish are anesthetized for many reasons including for surgery, vaccinations, giving medications, taking measurements and more.
The mud skippers on the other hand, spends a lot of time out of water. They gulp and hold water in their buccal cavity where their gills are able to extract oxygen from the water. It’s like SCUBA in reverse!
Of course my answer will begin with…. It depends…on the fish, the environment (temperature and humidity).
In warm tropical countries, it is not unusual to find some fishes such as catfish, snake heads and eels to cut across land to get where they’re going. They could be out for many minutes if the conditions are right.
