Veterinary Care, Nutrition & Animal Handling Abstracts
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Experience Treating Closed Systems with Chloroquine Phosphate and the Resulting Potential Side Effects Kelly Sowers, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The use of chloroquine phosphate as a chemical treatment for saltwater aquaria can be implemented for a variety of medicinal factors. Having used this treatment for elasmobranch, as well as mixed-species systems, differing effects on the animals both during and after treatment were noted. Based on the resulting effects, byproducts produced during the removal process may have a greater noted impact than the drug itself, both in behavior as well as mortality. |
The Red Queen: Using Hyposalinity
to Treat Neobenedenia sp. and Cryptocaryon irritans in a Large Multi-Taxa Exhibit Mark Smith, New England Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Giant Ocean Tank (GOT) is the central multi-species exhibit at the New England Aquarium, with a volume of 850 m3 (225,000 gal), and a diverse population (~1,000 individuals; ~100 species) of tropical Caribbean reef fishes. In 2016, Neobenedenia sp. was diagnosed in the GOT. Praziquantel treatment was administered nine times over a two-month period, each dose targeting an initial concentration of 4 mg/L. Presence of Neobenedenia sp. was monitored by examinations of live fishes, sampling during necropsies, and two 64 x 32 cm, 100 µm mesh panels, installed in GOT surface skimmers to trap egg capsules. During praziquantel treatment, copper sulfate also was administered twice (for two weeks and four weeks, respectively), conservatively at 0.06 mg/L, due to a parallel outbreak of Cryptocaryon irritans. Presence of C. irritans was monitored using a qualitative measure of fish health, referred to as disease condition status (DCS). During chemotherapeutic treatment, mortality rate in the exhibit was almost a magnitude higher (n = 59 / month) than normal operating conditions. Presence of Cryptocaryon irritans abated, but Neobenedenia sp. persisted. Over the next 12 months, hyposalinity was used to treat Neobenedenia sp. Salinity was reduced from 32 g/L to 15 g/L for ~60 days, then raised to and maintained at 22 g/L as a prophylactic measure. A brief outbreak of C. irritans was observed nine months after treatment commenced, but was managed by dropping salinity back to 15 g/L (for ~60 days) and then returning it to 22 g/L. No adult Neobenedenia sp. were detected after hyposalinity treatment commenced. Neobenedenia sp. egg capsules were detected, in slowly declining numbers, for the first nine months of hyposalinity treatment, but have not been detected for three months (at time of writing). Mortality rate during hyposalinity treatment was similar to that seen during non-disease periods (n = 7 / month). |
Developmental Life Cycle of Marine Monogeneans (Decacotyle sp) on Aquarium Housed White-Spotted Eagle Rays
Nancy Kim Pham, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Walt Disney World Resorts Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Marine monogeneans (Decacotyle sp.) frequently parasitize the gills of white-spotted eagle rays and can be detrimental to the welfare of the animal. Management of these parasites often includes medication with praziquantel baths which provide temporary relief, but may not fully eradicate the parasite population. One reason is praziquantel’s susceptibility to microbial degradation which may cause erratic concentrations within a system. Additionally, since eggs are refectory to many therapeutics, a series of treatments or management strategies may need to be employed to prevent all life stages of the parasite from infesting the rays. This presentation will highlight various practices employed at The Seas, Epcot®, Walt Disney World® Resorts, including information on the development and response of Decacotyle egg hatching rates and activity responses of adult monogeneans to various therapeutic treatments. |
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Full Abstract
Fish welfare is an increasingly important subject. We need to understand what it is and why it is so important to be concerned about the welfare of the fish under our care. As an industry we will increasingly come under scrutiny from various animal rights organizations. An increasingly important part of this discussion is the question “Do Fish Feel Pain?” This has been a contentious issue for the past decade. We will examine this question from a scientific approach, and attempt to resolve this issue once and for all. |
Utilizing 3D Printing as an Alternative Method to Compensate for Buoyancy Imbalance Issues with Chelonia mydas in Public Aquariums
Traner Knott, SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The use of weights to improve the buoyancy and swimming position of boat strike sea turtles is not a new concept in zoos and aquariums. However, the main methods of affixing weights (epoxy directly applied to the carapace or custom built nylon harnesses with weight pockets) have drawbacks including long application processes, entrapment risks and inconsistent adhesion success rates. SEA LIFE Minnesota has a 100 pound rescued Green sea turtle. The sea turtle suffered a boat strike with significant damage to its carapace. Supplemental weights are needed to avoid positive buoyancy. SEA LIFE Minnesota and the University of Minnesota have recently developed an alternative approach using 3D printing. The “Exo-Shell” will provide a more reliable attachment point and flexibility for rapid buoyancy adjustment. The shell will also minimize the risk of entanglement and adhesion failure while allowing real time weight adjustment without lengthy dry dock sessions. |
Pooling our Resources:
Using Global Data to Create Invaluable Animal Care Tools Meredith Knott, Species 360 Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
ZIMS is the most widely used records system within the zoo and aquarium community. Partnering with the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences, Species360 focused on extracting, summarizing and organizing information contained within millions of medical records to produce resources that could support and improve veterinary care in aquariums and zoos. The project successfully produced 3 completely new medical resources (Anesthesia Summaries, Drug Usage Extracts, Morbidity and Mortality Analysis) and significantly enhanced an existing resource (Expected Test Results). Each resource provides easy, searchable access to a unique compilation of medical experience and knowledge that is useful to animal care staff and conservation research partners. As aquariums increasingly pursue in-situ and ex-situ conservation goals, the community need for data sharing and pooled resources grows exponentially each year. Acknowledgements: This project was supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant MG-30-14-0039-14. |
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From Cyst to Adult: Low-Budget Hacks for In-House Artemia salina Cultures
Morgan A. Lindemayer, New England Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The common brine shrimp, Artemia salina, have been utilized as a live food in the aquarium industry since the 1920s. They provide a quality high protein diet leading to the greater survival rates, faster growth rates and fuller color development of their consumers. Many institutions dedicate financial resources on ordering live Artemia to support juvenile fishes or high maintenance species. The New England Aquarium has allocated this expense into successfully creating an in-house culture that sustains the institution using a low-cost, low-maintenance design incorporating hatching cones, grow-out barrels, and cold storage methods. Not only has this culture served to put money back into the aquarium and increase our sustainability, it also allows for a healthier product. Having control over the culture conditions of our live foods gives us more control over what we are adding to our tanks and feeding our fishes, leading to a more successful and viable collection. |
Safe Handling of Stingrays
Dr. Rob Jones & Clem Kouijzer, The Aquarium Vet 1-2-1 Animal Handling Products Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
One of the greatest Health and Safety issues in public aquariums is the safe handling of stingrays. There have been many serious injuries including one fatality in public aquariums. The anatomy of the stingray barb and its venom will be presented. We will examine a variety of safe handling techniques and personal protection equipment (PPE) as well a prototype device designed to cover the barb during handling and to protect aquarists. |
Steel, Plastic, and Mesh:
DIY Nets and Traps Chris Okamoto, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Aquarists often work in different environments collecting different organisms and having the right equipment saves valuable time. With the various needs a facility has for different sizes and shapes of nets and traps, the proper one may not be available commercially. The ability to make custom collection gear (exact to specific requirements) can help ensure safe capture and transfer of animals. Custom nets and traps are often very expensive but with a little ingenuity, you can build your own out of fairly inexpensive materials to suit your needs. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will go over the basics as well as the sources we use to create some of our own custom nets and traps. |