Reno Koi Micropsy Wet Lab
with Dr. Erik Johnson
~ Warning ~ ~ dissection photos at the end ~ ~ Warning~
Richard Mendes and Carlos Flannery attended an excellent seminar put on by Dr. Erick Johnson in Reno, Nv.
This wet-lab / introduction to fish health seminar was a 2 day event.
The first day covered components of a balanced system, molecular components to the water cycling process, stressors of fish, identification of fish parasites under the microscope, symptoms of illness, and use of medications and salt.
A slew of slides and a interactive question and answer forum accompanied this first presentation, leaving the attendees a sense of profound understanding and confident sense in the days information.
The second day entailed a more hands on approach to better understanding of fish illness. A series of videos showing parasites that afflict our fish was shown. The videos help show what traits identify each specific creature by size, color, shape, and movement. After the vids, each attendee received a fish at their wet-lab station. A microscope, dissection tools, slides and cover slips were provided to scrap and scope, id parasites, perform IM and IP injections, anesthetize the fish, and lastly kill the fish and dissect to understand organ function and id within the fish.
Dr. Erik's great sense of humor and vast knowledge made this seminar a MUST! I strongly recommend it!
On with the Pictures!
This wet-lab / introduction to fish health seminar was a 2 day event.
The first day covered components of a balanced system, molecular components to the water cycling process, stressors of fish, identification of fish parasites under the microscope, symptoms of illness, and use of medications and salt.
A slew of slides and a interactive question and answer forum accompanied this first presentation, leaving the attendees a sense of profound understanding and confident sense in the days information.
The second day entailed a more hands on approach to better understanding of fish illness. A series of videos showing parasites that afflict our fish was shown. The videos help show what traits identify each specific creature by size, color, shape, and movement. After the vids, each attendee received a fish at their wet-lab station. A microscope, dissection tools, slides and cover slips were provided to scrap and scope, id parasites, perform IM and IP injections, anesthetize the fish, and lastly kill the fish and dissect to understand organ function and id within the fish.
Dr. Erik's great sense of humor and vast knowledge made this seminar a MUST! I strongly recommend it!
On with the Pictures!
Okay.. .okay... it's the typical OUT THE WINDOW TOURIST shot of the plane ride. This is a picture snapped coming into Reno from Phoenix. I'm sorry-- but living in San Antonio, Tx all my life.. I see any topography bigger than a FIRE ANT MOUND and I'm astonished! :)
Staying on the very most top floor of the CIRCUS CIRCUS (28f) afforded a pleasant view of the surrounding valley.
Get's better at night!
Sat morning 8am... at the location for the seminar. Cool temps of 55 degrees and a mild sprinkle of summer showers made for a crisp morning. Had to get a artsy shot of these beautiful trees blooming all over the area. No idea what they are. So nice not to see a single OAK TREE! hahaha. My allergies were non-existent.
Dr. Erik Johnson pictured here discussing ulcers. His animated funny sense of humor really made these lectures fun and interactive.
After the first days seminar, all were invited back to Oasis Riverside Pond Store to hear Dr. Johnson speak about selection of young koi. How to pick, what to look for, what are the precursors for a beautiful fish as it matures. Lots of good info!
The fish in this tank were 600 imports straight from Japan. Open 2 weeks early to attendees of the seminar. Fair prices and excellent selection made it hard to resist. Had me thinking if SOUTH WEST would negate my attempts for a FISHY carry on?
I believe this is the owner of OASIS PONDS pictured here selecting a batch for Dr. Johnson to critique and discuss.
AHhhhhhhhh! Slow down so I can take a picture! My fish models are so hard to work with. ;)
There we go, nice and calm now. Must be the presence of a " FISH WHISPERER" Dr. Johnson ?!?!
Here a selection of grades of fish. What makes one better than another. What makes the color unstable in certain fishes. What judges would deem better qualities. And some that just look plain cool!
Another indoor pond at OASIS PONDS. This pond held mature, older koi.
|
Big and friendly, I'd hug em' if I wouldn't get slime all over me and walk away smelling like a can of tuna!?!? :)
|
Big yellow Ogon coming up for a bite .. or bite of the camera ?!?
Day 2 of the seminar. Wet-lab in full swing as participants each are assigned a fish and begin scape and scopes.
The unfortunates. Fish from 4 inches to 17 inches. Donated by local koi keepers, stores, some were purchased at pet stores. Just about all had flukes, costia, chillodenella, tricodina and ick. What a shame .... saw one or 2 that I liked. Knowing all were to be terminated... I ventured to ask if the nice one I had I could just throw some HARSH WORDS at and call it a day? :P
Picture of Richard's lab station. Notice the big yellow Doitsu already flipped to the side. CLOVE OIL is a amazing anesthetic. Once emulsified in water-- this stuff knocks em out cold!
|
Richard taking a peak as to what parasites might be calling his koi HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST.
|
Here is what he saw! I just put my digital camera up to the ocular and snapped a shot of a Fluke. These parasites have a worm like appearance. They are one of the larger parasites you will ID in a scope. They normally wiggle frantically due to the heat from the light on the scope. Notice the lower end of this fluke, those are the teeth and mouth which it uses to attach and feed off of your fish. (Viewed at 400X.)
This is a Fluke at 800-1000X magnification with a super fancy scope. Check out those HOOKS!
Six Main Parasites to Watch Out For:
Argulus - Fish Lice: This parasite does not need a microscope to be seen. It appears as a brown, black, olive green "freckle" on the skin of your fish. About 1/4th inch in size this parasite has a stinger that it injects into the fish under a scale. Do not pick up this creature, as it will sting you as well!
If that dark spot on your fish moves-- than it's a fish lice! The fish are bumping and itching themselves, disrupting the parasite and it moves to a better location. (Treatment is Dimilin or Anchors Away. Some net the fish and take them off with tweezers.)
Argulus - Fish Lice: This parasite does not need a microscope to be seen. It appears as a brown, black, olive green "freckle" on the skin of your fish. About 1/4th inch in size this parasite has a stinger that it injects into the fish under a scale. Do not pick up this creature, as it will sting you as well!
If that dark spot on your fish moves-- than it's a fish lice! The fish are bumping and itching themselves, disrupting the parasite and it moves to a better location. (Treatment is Dimilin or Anchors Away. Some net the fish and take them off with tweezers.)
Costia: The smallest of all the parasites on the list. This can be id'd as small, fast moving COMAS under the scope. Will be on the body and gills of fish causing damage. In large infestations these organisms kill over night. "Cold water killer " as this parasite is active in water below 65degrees, taking advantage of the fish's lathargic immune system.
Chilodonella: This deadly little fellow likes cold water. It flourishes in water temperatures lower than what is needed for the fish's immunity system to kick in, making it more dangerous to the fish during the cooler months of spring. In fact, most parasites are considered cold water inhabitants. Under the scope you may see a bean shaped organism, or a large round organism full of tiny bubbles. They may resemble Ich but they do not have crescent nucleus. Chilodonella clears EASILY with salt. Leave the salt in for 14 days, and be sure to supplement aeration, as gill damage from Chilodonella may be severe in the survivors. Chilodonella should be suspected any time large numbers of fish are dying on the surface or who roll over on their sides except when disturbed.
Ich: Interesting fact about this common "aquarium" type parasite is that it is RARE that you see the tell tale, small, white grains of salt visual signs of it on your koi. For some reason koi rarely show the physical signs, but often are afflicted by this creature.
Ich under the scope looks round, and moves in a spinning, clockwise motion. Cilia hairs on it's outside move it in this manner. Ich will be dark in color under the scope, under higher mag you can see a U shaped center inside the parasite. (Salt level held more than 21 days will kill ich in its larval stage. Holding past 21 days at .3% will ensure the egg and packet stages have completed out as well as zapped emerging larva.)
Ich under the scope looks round, and moves in a spinning, clockwise motion. Cilia hairs on it's outside move it in this manner. Ich will be dark in color under the scope, under higher mag you can see a U shaped center inside the parasite. (Salt level held more than 21 days will kill ich in its larval stage. Holding past 21 days at .3% will ensure the egg and packet stages have completed out as well as zapped emerging larva.)
Trichodina: Looks like a whizzing, irregular moving, flying saucer or Michelline tire under the scope.
Trichodina isn't as bad as the rest and normally just makes the fish itch. Bad news: It does help introduce bad bacteria into the internals of the fish. Itching causes the fish to scratch (or flash) and the fish can lose scales or puncture its protective skin and mucus coat, allowing harmful bacteria to enter the body. Trichodina thrives in the muck in the bottom of the pond. Thorough pond cleanings should eliminate the threat of this parasite. (Potassium Permanganate is used by most to kill Trichodina.)
Trichodina isn't as bad as the rest and normally just makes the fish itch. Bad news: It does help introduce bad bacteria into the internals of the fish. Itching causes the fish to scratch (or flash) and the fish can lose scales or puncture its protective skin and mucus coat, allowing harmful bacteria to enter the body. Trichodina thrives in the muck in the bottom of the pond. Thorough pond cleanings should eliminate the threat of this parasite. (Potassium Permanganate is used by most to kill Trichodina.)
Fluke: Flukes are one of the most common and dangerous parasites. They actually carry Aeromonas and Pseudomonas bacteria which are responsible for causing sometimes incurable ulcers in fish. Plus, Flukes are very fertile. Once you get rid of the adults you must re-treat to get the babies that have hatched.
This creature is the largest of the microscopic parasites. Thousands of Costia could fit in a fluke (size comparison)
Makes the fish flash due to irritation of the hooks penetrating gill tissue or skin tissue. (Supaverm is used to kill Flukes.)
This creature is the largest of the microscopic parasites. Thousands of Costia could fit in a fluke (size comparison)
Makes the fish flash due to irritation of the hooks penetrating gill tissue or skin tissue. (Supaverm is used to kill Flukes.)
Treatments
Proform C is a combination of formalin and malachite green. It kills Ich, Costia, Trichodina, Chilodonella. It DOES NOT kill flukes. Used as directed it will not harm the filter.
Make sure that the salt level is below .1. Salt and formalin are not compatible. Nor is salt compatible with all plants.
Proform C is a combination of formalin and malachite green. It kills Ich, Costia, Trichodina, Chilodonella. It DOES NOT kill flukes. Used as directed it will not harm the filter.
Make sure that the salt level is below .1. Salt and formalin are not compatible. Nor is salt compatible with all plants.
~Warning ~ ~ dissection photos coming up ~ ~Warning~
I get in on the action. Scraping and Scoping is not all that hard once you practice it enough. Within one afternoon I was comfortable in doing scrapes, IM and IP injections and euthanize these fish quickly and humanely.
~ Last Chance ~ Dissection photos coming up ~ Last Chance ~
(Injection pics from www.usakoi.com)
|
|
Dr. Johnson showing how to start the cuts to decapitate a fish.
|
A gill plate removed from this fish.
|
Exposed innards of a fish. Learning what organs are what, what they do and how to take samples from each for analysis. I'll spare you further GORY pics :P
Fantastic experience! A must! Thanks to Northern Nevada Pond Club, Oasis Ponds and Dr. Johnson for the great learning experience!
Fantastic experience! A must! Thanks to Northern Nevada Pond Club, Oasis Ponds and Dr. Johnson for the great learning experience!
More Information
Extensive detail, advice, and pics on more IM and IP injections can be found here.
Here are videos of IP injection on a small koi.
Extensive detail, advice, and pics on more IM and IP injections can be found here.
Here are videos of IP injection on a small koi.
Richard Mendes
Carlos Flannery
Carlos Flannery
