Aquatic Diseases Abstracts
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Rapid Identification and Quantification of Aerosol Aspergillus Species to Prevent Penguin Aspergillosis
Ying Zhang, Environmental Laboratory, Ocean Park Hong Kong, SAR China Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Preventing Aspergillus in indoor enclosures is critical to the health of penguin because Aspergillosis is one of the main causes of penguin mortality in zoological facilities. At our facility, visitors and penguins share the same indoor air and high efficiency air filters (HEPA). These filters were installed in both recirculating and supplemented fresh air systems. To monitor filter effectiveness, a reproducible and rapid method for identification and quantification of viable Aspergillus environmental load is required. Traditional settle plate method with morphological identification needs 14 days, but the results are often inconsistent. Although real time PCR method can identify and quantify Aspergillus within one day, it may overestimate spore load and result in unnecessary improvement work. This study coupled the active sampling aerosol onto a DG-18 agar plate, and then quantifying and identifying with conventional PCR method to Aspergillus genus on day 3 and to A.niger, A. terreus, A. flavus, A.glaucus and/or A. fumigatus on day 4. Over the first year of monitoring with this method, we found the total viable fungal and Aspergillus counts outdoor and in the indoor area without air filtration are much higher than in the indoor area with HEPA systems. HEPA treatment is very effective but indoor area without HEPA was found to have the highest load of fungal contamination in the penguin facility. In June 2013, a Gentoo penguin was infected with A. flavus, which is coincident with the A. flavus detected both outdoor and in the indoor area without air treatment. In Jan 2014, the indoor area without filtration was isolated from the rest of the penguin area. Thereafter, total viable fungal and Aspergillus counts were almost undetectable at both BOH and the penguin exhibit area. After we get sufficient funding for equipment, we plan to further explore utilizing the qPCR method for identification and quantification of viable Aspergillus on the same day of sampling. |
Utilizing Long-Duration Anesthesia for the Transport and Quarantine of African Tigerfish (Hydrocynus Vittatus) to Enable the Successful Display of this Novel Species
Allan Marshall, Wonders of Wildlife Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The African tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) has long been recognized as a voracious predator and a prized sport fish by anglers. Previous attempts to collect large specimens for aquarium display have failed due to the power and excitable nature of these animals. They would invariably die from injuries sustained while trying to escape from the transport vessel. Until now, the only option for aquariums was to acquire very small specimens (<10cm) and grow them in the exhibit. In this study, low doses of clove oil were used at a concentration of 5 mg/L to induce Stage 1, Plane 1 anesthesia (light sedation) to reduce the agitation of large H. vittatus while still allowing them to maintain equilibrium and navigate inside the transport vessel. This light sedation also caused the cessation of aggressive behaviors to tank mates. Durations of sedation for transport up to eight hours were very successful. It was noted that after 12 hours, the effects of the clove oil had ceased and agitation and aggression of the animals increased. A distinct challenge with the husbandry of large wild-collected H. vittatus is the level of aggression shown between cohorts, particularly in confined spaces. With large teeth, these aggressive behaviors lead to serious injuries and death if not mitigated. Manipulations of the environment to reduce that aggression included the addition of visual barriers, altering feeding regimens and physical separation of individuals. Clove oil was also used to manage behavior and stress during quarantine, especially when specimen handling was required to execute medical treatments. Repeated exposure to clove oil for transport, examinations and medical treatments has shown no ill effects on animal health. It allows caretakers to minimize stress and physical trauma of the fishes and is regarded as an essential maintenance tool within overall H. vittatus husbandry. |
Vector Control, Aquaponics Filtration and Theoretical Electricity Generation in a Tropical Aquarium System Samarth Mehta, Vision Aqua LLP Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
India, being a developing nation needs sustainable green solutions to a growing consumerist lifestyle. Aquariums have become a very popular home hobby of late and are also in the need for such solutions. Being a nation that is plagued by vector borne diseases, any water body adds to the threat of the same. The solution is an integrated system that involves a two-chamber or three-chamber cascade aquarium, which involves the chambers, built in the form of steps with all chambers at a height higher than the one before. This facilitates the higher chamber(s) to house food plants, which aquaponically filter the water of the fish-containing aquarium below. The water is elevated to the higher chamber(s) by a submersible pump and the water cascades down with gravity and the right baffle dimensions. Filtration can be spruced by using a highly efficient fluidized sand bed because of the existing gravitational flow of water in a separate chamber. Considering that there will be enough water to host vector larvae in the higher chamber(s), an effective insectivore/larvivore such as Poecilia reticulata (IUCN – Least Concern) can be housed. Higher chamber(s) can grow watercress, water chestnut and even rice. Growlights are also needed. The recommendation is to consider LED, which can theoretically be powered by a pico hydroturbine installed at the baffle top of the lower chamber to utilize the energy in the natural cascading of water by gravity. Generating electricity can be further considered theoretically by using a species like Malapterurus oguensis, which grows to a manageable size and can generate up to 350V at 1A surges. Housing this in the lower chamber installed with energy storage devices could also be utilized by the submersible pump. This system would be available as a customizable variant as well as a DIY kit for more advanced hobbyists. |
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Simple, Precise Cyanide Testing
for the Marine Aquarium Trade Ehsan Dashti, TRITON GmbH Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
No abstract |