Tropical fish medicine. Behavioral diagnosis

An appreciation of the significance of behavior patterns of fish can be as useful to the practitioner as for any of the more familiar domestic species. Veterinarians are trained in comparative medicine, and a logical clinical approach is warranted regardless of the species to which it is directed. The information provided here can serve to bridge the veterinarian's knowledge of other species with the problems encountered in a fish in the sense that knowing what to look for, or what you are looking at, can help put things in perspective. There is no substitute, however, for common sense. The experience a clinician gains through seeing many animals of many species will be as useful with piscine patients as with other animals.     

Tropical fish medicine. Fish chemotherapeutics

The author considers the pros and cons of various routes of delivery of medication in fish as well as the drugs and doses used for treatment of bacterial infections and various parasitic infections. Also discussed are emergency and metabolic drugs.     

Tropical fish medicine. Evaluating water problems

This article presents some of the basic concepts involved in managing water in tropical fish aquariums. The intent is not to address all problem situations and their solutions, but to inform the practitioner of the interactions between fish, water, and container and the complicated nature of successfully diagnosing water problems in the home aquarium. The important variables in water quality as they relate to fish health are presented. Potential problems from source water, inadequate biological filtration, and aquarium overcrowding are discussed.     

Tropical fish medicine. Anesthesia in fish

1. Before using anesthesia in fish, check water quality parameters for tropical fish aquariums in the locality. 2. Monitor any changes in water quality that result from anesthetic administration, especially pH and alkalinity. Have adequate buffering agents available to counter these changes. 3. Use one or two preferred agents, and become familiar with the effects they produce. 4. Where possible, withhold food from fish for 24 hours prior to administration of the anesthetic agent. 5. Try to anesthetize a few fish in a group first as a test batch. Wait 12 to 24 hours for signs of delayed mortality before proceeding to anesthetize the rest of the fish. 6. Always provide adequate aeration in holding vessels. 7. Where practical, use water that the fish has come from in the anesthetic tank. 8. Always have a container of the same water for the fish to recover in.     

Tropical fish medicine. Taking the history

When treating fish, one needs to rely heavily on the history to collect the information needed to make a differential diagnosis, because physical examination will usually be quite limited.     

Tropical fish medicine. Necropsy examination of fish

Necropsy examination of moribund or dead specimens is an essential step in diagnosing fish diseases. This article discusses basic anatomy and necropsy procedures. A large part of the article has been devoted to methods of procuring samples for laboratory analysis and histologic examination. To determine which findings are responsible for the mortalities, the entire case history and gross necropsy findings must be reviewed. Careful observations made during the necropsy examination provide valuable information immediately, as well as later on in the interpretation of laboratory data.     

Tropical fish medicine. Fish cytology and hematology

Cytology and hematology can provide valuable information during the evaluation of fish patients. Although more commonly practiced with larger species of fish, hematologic evaluation aids in the identification of diseases that have an effect on the cells in peripheral blood in the same manner as in mammalian and avian patients. Cytology provides clinical diagnostic support in the evaluation of the health status of even the smallest fish.     

Tropical fish medicine. Parasites associated with ornamental fish

The diagnosis, treatment, and control of parasites and nonparasitic pests of aquarium fish are covered. Figures are provided that should help the clinician make specific diagnoses.     

Tropical fish medicine. Copper treatments. Uses and precautions

Copper is an old but effective treatment for fish diseases. It is now primarily used to treat acute infestations of parasites such as Amyloodinium and Cryptocaryon. Many fish are sensitive to copper and may become intoxicated at concentrations required to control pathogens. Copper concentrations in treatment tanks must be measured frequently to ensure that levels are therapeutic but not toxic. A knowledge of the solution chemistry of copper is essential in understanding how to avoid unexpected changes in copper concentrations. Factors such as pH, salinity, decorative materials, nature of the filter bed, and the type of therapeutic agent used for treatment must be considered.     

Tropical fish medicine. Bacterial culture and evaluation of diseases of fish

Bacteria are ubiquitous in nature. Fish are constantly exposed to bacteria, and usually only succumb to an infection after having been exposed to prolonged periods of stress. Before making a diagnosis of a bacterial disease, it is necessary to eliminate the possibility of environmental or parasitic problems. Environmental factors may act as stressors and can predispose a fish to bacterial disease while affecting the fish simultaneously. Clinical signs caused by the various bacterial pathogens are very similar. Therefore, to make a definitive bacterial diagnosis, it is necessary to culture and identify the organisms involved.     

Tropical fish medicine. Providing veterinary care to the commercial fish farmer

The veterinarian with experience in preventive and herd health medicine is in a unique position to help the tropical fish farmer reduce losses and increase profits. This goal can best be accomplished through a comprehensive medical consultation program involving both problem-oriented and preventive medicine.     

Tropical fish medicine. Biopsy and rapid postmortem techniques for diagnosing diseases of fish

Biopsy and rapid postmortem techniques are simple to perform with commonly available instruments. Because the skin and gills are the target organs for so many infectious agents, biopsy is a very useful tool in pet fish medicine. The major requisite for successful diagnosis using biopsy materials is the ability to recognize different taxonomic groups of pathogens. Many of these pathogens may be present in clinically normal individuals, and their importance must be interpreted with other clinical findings. Rapid postmortem techniques can identify several common systemic diseases affecting pet fish. The usefulness of these procedures is highly dependent on the state of tissue preservation of the specimens presented.