Fish Husbandry
Write out the nitrogen cycle.
ammonia --(Nitrosomonas spp.)--> nitrite --(Nitrobacter spp.)--> nitrate
What is the most problematic and widely distributed opportunistic bacteria?
Aeromonads
What are the non-specific signs seen with viral infections in fish?
vasculitis, splenomegaly, hematopoietic cell necrosis
This is an area with high density of capillaries to facilitate fluid exchange.
ventral pelvic patch
What structure in a crocodilian heart allows for shunting?
foramen of Panizza
This disease happens when Nitrobacter spp. growth lags behind Nitrosomonas spp, and additionally can be worsened by alkaline conditions (decreasing Nitrobacter spp. growth)
nitrite toxicity ("brown blood" disease)
This disease is also known as cotton/wool mouth. Historically, a warm water disease. Typicall infects gills and skin and progresses to septicemia. On gill clip wet mount, the bacteria produces haystacks.
Bonus if you can name the saltwater equivalent!
Flavobacterium columnare (freshwater)
Tenacibaculum maritimum (saltwater)
This presents in large koi as smooth, raised, fragile areas of epidermal hyperplasia. It occurs in cooler temperatures. It is also seen in carps. Lesions are infectious.
Carp Pox (Cyprinid herpesvirus-1)
All amphibian species have these two types of respiration.
cutaneous and buccopharyngeal
True or false: chelonians have incomplete tracheal rings.
False! They have complete tracheal rings
A client comes in for a consult on their fish tank. The owner has noticed their fish have become anorexic and is concerned. With your history, you find out that the client has not performed a water change in 2 months. What disease is likely affecting this aquarium?
nitrate toxicity (old tank syndrome)
This is a facultative intracellular pathogen that results in widespread granuloma formation. It is highly virulent and an emerging disease in cultured and wild fish (esp. tilapia).
Francisella noatunensis
Goldfish are resistant to this disease. The predominate sign is branchial necrosis. It is OIE reportable, but culling is not mandatory.
koi herpesvirus (cyprinid herpesvirus-3)
This leads to squamous metaplasia of the tongue, oral cavity, conjunctiva, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive tract.
vitamin A deficiency (hypovitaminosis A)
What type of light is needed for vitamin D synthesis?
UVB
A deficiency in what dietary ingredient can result in scoliosis in fish.
ascorbic acid
This is one of the most common freshwater ciliates infecting the gills and skin. It has a characteristic horsehose macronucleus.
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (freshwater)
Cryptocaryon irritans (saltwater)
"ich" "white spot"
This infects individual/groups of fibroblasts within skin or organs to produce hypertrophic lesions. It is a chronic condition and takes weeks/years to develop but rarely fatal. It will regress.
Lymphocystis virus
This disease is caused by an opportunistic bacteria due to poor water quality, stress, malnutrition, and immunosuppression. It presents with cutaneous erythema/petechia, edema, and skin erosions or sloughing.
bacterial dermatosepticemia (red leg syndrome)
Bone fractures in lizards are most often associated with:
Without proper iodine supplementation, elasmobranchs are more prone to:
goiter
these are ectocommensal ciliates that attach to gills and skin and feed on debris and bacteria in the water. high number impede respiration and associated with secondary bacterial infections.
sessile peritrichs
This presents as cottony white to brown masses that superficially cover the surface of skin, gills, eggs leading to hypoxia and osmoregulatory issues
oomycetes (water molds)
e.g., Saprolegnia
This affects adult frogs and toads. It affects the superficial layer of skin, hindering respiration and hydration. Clinical signs include skin lesions, abnormal posture, lethargy, and sudden death.
Chytridiomycosis
Chameleons, bearded dragons, and water dragons cannot replace their teeth. This makes them:
acrodont