Friday Presentation Abstracts
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The Collection and Husbandry of
Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) at Adventure Aquarium Elizabeth Hann, Adventure Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Coryphaena hippurus - better known as the common dolphinfish or mahi mahi - are well known for their striking coloration and fast growth rate. Mahi mahi are found worldwide in subtropic, tropic and offshore temperate waters. They are popular in both the food industry and game fishing. September 2013 was the start of an exciting couple of months at Adventure Aquarium. The beginning of September kicked off the first of two successful collecting trips for mahi mahi off the coast of New Jersey. In total, Adventure Aquarium successfully collected and transported 18 mahi mahi back to our 44,000-gallon quarantine system. After two months in quarantine, they were introduced into our 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit over the course of two weeks. While transferring this species onto exhibit presented a few obstacles, we continuously modified the plan for introduction. Even though our introduction of the mahi mahi to the exhibit was successful, we continue to address challenges of feeding, predation, dive operations, parasites and wound treatment, which will be presented here. |
Rockfish Eye Surgery and New Techniques in Prosthetics Tim Carpenter, Seattle Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Fish in captive settings are prone to eye disease, and rockfish in particular are commonly afflicted with a disease known as exopthalmia. Eye disease in fish is known to cause decreased feeding activity, poor growth, development of secondary illness and increased mortality (Nadelstein and Lewbart, 1997; Hargis 1991). In some cases, removal of the diseased eye in combination with medical treatment may resolve the issue and allow the fish to return to normal health. Over the past decade, Seattle Aquarium veterinarians and aquarists have performed multiple surgeries to remove eyes from rockfish, using various techniques. Additionally, value has been shown in researching techniques to install artificial eyes in these fish. The placement of a prosthetic eye in a one-eyed rockfish allows aquariums to accomplish three goals: 1) continue to display a fish that may otherwise be euthanized or taken off display due to aesthetic concerns; 2) provide the fish with a convincing replacement to potentially reduce fish aggression, and; 3) refine a technique that has yet to be implemented as commonly in fish as it has in mammals and birds. In addition, removal of the eyes allows vets to establish diagnostic tools to assess the cause of the eye issues. This presentation summarizes the work performed at the Seattle Aquarium with respect to rockfish eye removal and prosthetic installation. |
Managing Mycobacteria in Syngnathid Systems Steven Yong, Seattle Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The fact that non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) is a group of one of the most troublesome pathogens in the aquatic industry is well known. Those of us with syngnathids in our collections also know that, for some reason, this family of fish is particularly susceptible to these infections. This presentation will briefly revisit what we know, or think we know, about Mycobacterium spp.; as well as review some of the changes in basic husbandry that the Seattle Aquarium has used to significantly reduce the number of NTM breakouts and mortalities in our syngnathid populations. |
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Rehabilitation of a Sea Turtle
with a Serious Skull Fracture Christian Legner, NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The sea turtle rehabilitation facility located at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is a small center managed in cooperation with a local non-profit organization, the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles. For many years, the facility primarily has been a receiving location for cold-stun events occurring along the northeastern North Carolina coast. In 2013, the center accepted a boat-strike turtle with deep wounds to the carapace, as well as a head wound that exposed the brain case. In conjunction with the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, it was decided that this turtle was a viable candidate for rehabilitation. Although there is little literature available concerning the survivability of these types of cases, anecdotal evidence from past cases demonstrated a proclivity to euthanize such patients. Working with the knowledge that few such injured turtles have survived non-surgical rehabilitations, we chose to proceed. Nearly one year after admission, results have been excellent, adding to the list of successfully treated sea turtles with skull fractures penetrating the brain case. |
Majano Anemone Infestation and Control
at the National Aquarium Kelli Cadenas, National Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The National Aquarium recently experienced a large majano anemone (Anemonia majano) infestation in its 6,400-gallon (24,227-liter) Pacific Coral Reef Exhibit. These small anemones covered large expanses of live rock and corals, resulting in the partial or complete mortality of several coral colonies. Although much information is available about effective techniques for controlling Aiptasia anemone infestations, there is less information in the hobbyist literature about majanos, especially for the treatment of an infestation of this magnitude. Many techniques for removal were tried, including mechanical, chemical and biological treatments. The best solution was found to be manual removal where possible, followed by treatments with calcium hydroxide. At this time, the infestation is under control, with majano populations at manageable levels and the appropriate majano predators added to the system and included on our stocking lists for the future. The National Aquarium now has a plan of action for future majano infestations. |
The Jack Track:
A Fish Transportation System Vincent Levesque, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps needed a way to move a couple dozen jack mackerel, Trachurus symmetricus, down from our two-story kelp tank to a ground-level outside holding area, so we came up with the idea of a fish “slide.” We adapted the idea from fish returns that had been used years before at Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute to return 3”-6” white seabass to raceways after tagging. Although many other fish species were transferred in buckets, the fast moving jack mackerel never would have made the two-flight trip in a bucket, and the narrow stairwell made stretchers a poor alternative. Come see this fast-paced session to see how we moved these fish and many others quickly and easily. |
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Interview with a Vampire Squid:
Advances in the Collection and Display of Deep-Sea Cephalopods Alicia Bitondo, Monterey Bay Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In preparation for a show featuring the diversity of cephalopods, MBA’s husbandry team has worked its way down an ambitious list of target species. The challenges associated with exhibiting cephalopods are well known in the aquarium world, but the most daunting and unorthodox of our goals was to display deep-sea cephalopods. To develop a husbandry protocol for a type of animal few people have ever seen, let alone tried to keep alive in captivity, we’ve had to get really creative. Over the last 18 months we’ve supplemented our own knowledge with lots of reading, a fair bit of trial and error, and a growing partnership with our sister institution, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Our Aquarium’s founder David Packard had a particular fascination with the deep sea, and so he supported the formation of MBARI in 1987. One of the founding members of the institution, deep-sea pioneer Bruce Robison, remains the head of the Midwater Laboratory at MBARI. Using remotely operated vehicles (ROV), his team observes and collects inhabitants of the Monterey Submarine Canyon from as far down as 3,000 meters. When we approached them with the proposition of collaboration, we learned that Robison’s current post doctorate fellow happened to be an expert in deep-sea cephalopods, a perfect match for our collecting goals. Since 2012, MBA’s husbandry team has assisted with and eventually begun leading ROV expeditions to collect deep-sea squids and octopuses. Our current record for longevity of an animal is 28 days, with a specimen of Vampyroteuthis infernalis that fed in captivity on multiple occasions in mid-2013. We have experimented with many different collection, transport and husbandry techniques, and to date have kept over 30 individual animals from 10 distinct species. This past January, one of our Opisthoteuthis or “Dumbo” octopuses laid the first documented clutch of cirrate octopus eggs in captivity. This demonstrates how our progress benefits not only the aquarium community, but the research community as well. This talk will outline the inception, progression and current status of our deep-sea cephalopod program, including a discussion of life support, display techniques, species descriptions, and of course, lots of sweet footage of deep-sea animals. |
Changing Feeding Strategies in a Large Multi-Species Exhibit Jackie Cooper, National Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The National Aquarium’s 335,000-gallon Atlantic Coral Reef Exhibit houses 67 species with a total of 620 specimens. In 2013, feeding strategies for teleosts in the exhibit were revised in an effort to improve both nutrition and sustainability. Moving from a primarily thawed, frozen-food diet to a primarily pellet-based diet resulted in reduced costs, reduced food preparation times and reduced actual feeding times. In addition, the pellet-based diet appeared to improve overall animal health, as indicated by body condition and coloration. Improvements in water clarity and water quality were also observed, especially in reduced nitrate levels. |