The Fish Vet's Blog

Because of their training in multiple species of animals, veterinarians are uniquely qualified to deal with most of these issues. The WAVMA Aquatic Veterinarian Certification Programme seeks to identify the core competencies needed to practice aquatic veterinary medicine, and to recognize those veterinarians that have acquired the necessary knowledge, skills and experience through a variety of sources.

And we’d like to add that Australia has three (3) with, CertAqV, all of whom work as part of TheFishVet’s team.

Read more: 
http://m.farminglife.com/news/farming-news/ni-vet-is-first-in-ireland-to-be-accredited-as-a-certified-aquaculture-veterinarian-1-7458138#ixzz4DNTlLQzf

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Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh 

DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.

PERTH | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA. 

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

Fish can adapt to higher water temperatures, but only to a degree.

Thanks AL.

People say that there’s always some element of truth to every joke. So here’s a link to the truth –
https://thefishvet.com/2016/06/29/fish-can-adapt-to-rising-water-temperatures-but-only-to-a-degree/

Have a FINtastic week! R <+>{

The terrified anglers handed in their unsettling catch to authorities, who identified it as a pacu, an omnivorous freshwater fish native to South America and a cousin of the more carnivorous piranha.

Read more here – http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/russian-fishermen-catch-bizarre-fish-with-human-teeth-in-city-pond/news-story/feb8a49b010b29e3b7ef0b38365325d5

It’s a fact! But nobody knows why. There are several theories on why it it so.

Check them out here – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpemba_effect

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.

Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist.
PERTH | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA.

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

I have been preparing a presentation on fish welfare for the ANZCVS Science Week at Gold Coast (July), and for the WSAVA Annual Conference in Cartagena (September).

It has really be ten (10) years since my colleague and I floated the idea that fish should be afforded the same level of welfare as other vertebrates. At the 2006 Australian Veterinary Association, Annual National Conference, we presented this talk:

Making fish smile, sing and dance: ornamental fish welfare. By Drs Matt Landos & Richmond Loh.

…And then my colleague did a great rendition to blues music with the following story (roping me to do some awkward singing).

Check out the verses below, and if you’re lucky, I can get my colleague to play the song again.

… this story is by Frank in his tank with loving owner Richo…

I got them water blues…

From my head to my shoes (if I had shoes)…

This new bloke stopped by,

He said, “I know my fish Rich. Have a good holiday. Goodbye.”

My tank’s never been the same.

This man started all the pain.

He fed us too much.

I ate till I was full

I ate till I was stuffed

I ate till my big fat belly

Was about to bust

Then the next day came

And he fed me again

I was about to explode

I soiled my own tank,

Sending my water rather rank.

I was really catching the stress,

‘cos I’d made such a mess.

Then I looked across my room;

‘Saw through the murk and gloom,

My girl was in trouble!

Her colours had begun to fade,

Her fins were all frayed.

She was looking sad and sore,

Saying “please don’t feed me no more!”

This tank, it smells bad

These toxins are making me sad.

“I can’t go on.”

Another day went past.

It was even worse than the last.

There was waste everywhere.

My gills are so sore – it’s making me despair.

The biofilter’s crashed.

My hopes are all but dashed.

The ammonia’s through the roof.

Today I lost my girl.

She’s out of this world L

I’m just watching her, post-mortem.

In the corner, on the bottom.

Myself, I’m not feeling so good,

This tank’s just not like it should (be)

Bacteria levels are sky high.

Another day went by…

Molly and guppy just die.

I’m thinking what the heck!

And my gills are a wreck.

My blood is turning brown.

I feel like I’m about to drown.

The nitrite’s too high!

The water has turned to acid.

I’m feeling more than a little flaccid.

I’d rather be dead.

Someone please give me a hole in the head.

I want my real owner back!

Get rid of this hack!

This is no life for a fish (in this filthy dish).

I can’t take it no more!

I’m having to lie on the floor.

Through the slime I see;

Is that my owner? Is that he?

He looked at me, dead-set.

He knew I needed a fish vet!

I had those water blues…

He knew I was in trouble.

He had to act on the double!

When he saw poor ole Frank,

Richo’s heart, it just sank.

He saw my friends had all died.

He knew that his mate had lied.

Mate knew nothing about fish!

He ran to my aid!

An emergency 50% water exchange was made.

He threw in 5 grams per litre salt,

To help me fight the osmoregulation assault.

He reached for his water test kit,

Saw the readings and nearly had a fit!

He was amazed I was still alive!

Then Richo started singin’ along with me,

Frank’s got them water blues.

Yep, he’s got them water blues.

He’s got those blues real bad!

It’s making him really sad,

The water blues,

Them water blues,

Stop those water blues.

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

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPh (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, CMAVA, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist
THE FISH VET, AUSTRALIA – PERTH | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE
Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383

The Premier’s Agriculture and Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Program has launched, with applications now open until midday Friday 5 August 2016.

The Premier’s Agriculture and Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Program supports entrepreneurship and innovation in agriculture and aquaculture by offering scholarships to regional entrepreneurs in the sector.

 

This scholarship provides Western Australian farmers and individuals engaged in the agriculture or aquaculture sector up to $30,000 to enable them to develop and pursue their idea through exposure to international best practice and leaders in their field. At the completion of their travel and learning experiences the successful applicant will share their knowledge and learning with industry.

 

This Program forms one component of the Science and Agribusiness Connect initiative being administered by the Office of Science in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

 

Applications close midday Friday 5 August 2016.

 

More information, including the applicant information and application form, is available on the DPC website.

 

If you have any queries please contact either Judd Millner or Johanna Dowsett at the Office of Science on 08 6552 6080 or science@dpc.wa.gov.au.

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This article in the June 2016 edition of The Veterinarian features on its front page, concerning revelations on the future of fish.

Researchers found fish can adapt to slowly rising temperatures by altering their metabolism. But this adaptivity is limited by their inability to increase their capacity to take up oxygen.

Let’s hope fish possess, or are able to have something like 2,3-biphosphoglycerate that humans have, and are able to upregulate it (enlightened by my final year vet students – JS).

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.

Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist.
PERTH | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA.

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

For those interested to see the events at our local koi show, and to see the outcome of the contender for the "world’s longest goldfish", and to see The Fish Vet in action (saving a that almost died); watch this clip – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n38almzkg5U

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh
DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPh (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics & Pathobiology), CertAqV, CMAVA, NATA Signatory.
Aquatic Veterinarian & Veterinary Pathologist
THE FISH VET, AUSTRALIA – PERTH | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE
Mobile Aquatic Veterinary Medical & Diagnostic Services.

End of financial year is coming. Make sure you get your orders in before EOFY.

Visit
http://thefishvet.com.au/shop/shopping.html

—
Yours sincerely,

Dr Richmond Loh 

DipProjMgt, BSc, BVMS, MPhil (Pathology), MANZCVS (Aquatics& Pathobiology), CertAqV, NATA Signatory.

PERTH | MELBOURNE | TOWNSVILLE
THE FISH VET – AUSTRALIA. 

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

Q: What happens if a bird flies into a perch??

A: the bird gets wet.

Have a FINtastic week! R <+>{

Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca, freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The perch, of which there are three species in different geographical areas, lend their name to a large order of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke, simply meaning perch, and the Latin forma meaning shape. Many species of freshwater gamefish more or less resemble perch, but belong to different genera. In fact, the exclusively saltwater dwelling red drum is often referred to as a red perch, though by definition perch are freshwater fish. Though many fish are referred to as perch as a common name, to be considered a true perch, the fish must be of the family Percidae.

Facts source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perch