Fish Health Management Using Husbandry Training. Takaomi Ito, DVM Shuji Sodeyama Satoshi Takeuchi Kiyoko Onda Hiroshi Obata Kiyonori Nishida, PhD

Fish Health Management Using Husbandry Training Takaomi Ito, DVM Shuji Sodeyama Satoshi Takeuchi Kiyoko Onda Hiroshi Obata Kiyonori Nishida, PhD

Contribution for Sustaining Fish Biodiversity from a Veterinarian s Viewpoint Sustaining Fish Biodiversity In and Ex situ conservation activity Developed health management method for captive fish. Performed various types of research for collecting physiological and behavioral data.

Concerns in Studying Fish The process of selecting and capturing one particular fish among many in an exhibit tank is often a difficult task. The process of selecting and capturing fish can be dangerous for our staff members. Also fish become stressed when physically restrained for a test or examination. There is a risk that the data collected may lack validity. Husbandry Training

Husbandry Training for Zebra shark Specimen Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) Sex : Female TL : 150cm Volume of water in tank : 2.5

Procedure for Husbandry Training (Zebra shark) Step 1 : Desensitization for handfeeding Step 2 : Desensitization for tactile stimulation Step 3 : Training to keep herself in a inverted position Ultrasonography

Procedure for Husbandry Training (Zebra shark) Step 1 : Desensitization for handfeeding Step 2 : Desensitization for tactile stimulation Step 3 : Training to keep herself in a dorsal position Ultrasonography Step 4-1 : Desensitization for blood drawing Step 4-2 : Trained her to come to the surface Step 4-3 : Desensitization for Inserting something into gill opening Blood sampling Measure body weight Observe gill by Endoscopy

Procedure for Husbandry Training (Zebra shark) Step 1 : Desensitization for handfeeding Step 2 : Desensitization for tactile stimulation Step 3 : Training to keep herself in a dorsal position Ultrasonography Step 4-1 : Desensitization for blood drawing Step 4-2 : Trained her to come to the surface Step 4-3 : Desensitization for Inserting something into gill opening Step 4-4 : Desensitization for inserting something into cloaca Blood sampling Measure body weight Observe gill by Endoscopy AI

Ultrasonography by Husbandry Training Ovary

Blood Sampling Using Husbandry Training

Obtaining Body Weight via Husbandry Training

Endoscopic Examination of Gills Using Husbandry Training

Insert Endoscope into Cloaca by Husbandry Training

Husbandry Training for Whale Shark Typical procedure for blood sampling: 1. Place it in a stretcher 2. Restrain it in the stretcher 3. Blood sampling while being physically restrained Disadvantages : Requires 6 or more staff members Process takes more than 1 hour Can be dangerous for staff if the whale shark starts thrashing while being physically restrained The whale shark can become stressed while being physically restrained.

Whale Sharks on Husbandry Training Specimen A Specimen B Specimen C Sex Female Male Female 5.5 m 5.1 m 4.6 m BW 2,000kg 1,500kg 1,000kg Volume of water in tank 3,000 m 3 3,000 m 3 5,400 m 3

Procedure for Blood Sampling via Husbandry Training Step 1 : Feeding training at the surface of water

Procedure for Blood Sampling via Husbandry Training Step 1 : Feeding training at the surface of water Step 2 : Feeding training from behind

Procedure for Blood Sampling via Husbandry Training Step 1 : Feeding training at the surface of water Step 2 : Feeding training from behind Step 3 : Desensitization for the diver

Procedure for Blood Sampling via Husbandry Training Step 1 : Feeding training at the surface of water Step 2 : Feeding training from behind Step 3 : Desensitization for the diver Step 4 : Desensitization for stimulation during blood sampling

Blood Sampling via Husbandry Training while Feeding at the Surface of Water Specimen A & B)

Blood Sampling & Intramuscular Injection by Husbandry Training During Regular Feeding (Specimen C)

Placing a Tag via Husbandry Training Specimen B)

Husbandry Training for Ocean Sunfish Monogenean Keratitis

Husbandry Training for Freshwater Bath (Ocean sunfish) Specimen Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) Sex: Unknown TL : 88cm BW : 40kg Volume of water in tank : 5,400 m 3 Step-1 : Trained it to guide up onto the water surface Step-2 : Training to stay in a lateral position while poring freshwater over its eyeballs Freshwater bath

Freshwater Bath through Husbandry Training

Husbandry Training for Spotted Halibut Specimen Spotted halibut (Verasper variegates) Sex: Unknown TL : 30cm BW : 1.5kg Volume of water in tank :150 m 3 Step-1 : Training of hand feeding Step-2 : Training of stationing itself on staff s hand Step-3 : Desensitization for blood draw Blood sampling

Blood Sampling via Husbandry Training

Husbandry Training for Reticulated Pufferfish Specimen Reticulated pufferfish (Arothron reticularis) Sex: Unknown TL : 30cm BW : 2.5kg Volume of water in tank: 2.5 m 3

Procedure for Husbandry Training (Reticulated pufferfish) Step 1 : Training for hand feeding Step 2 : Desensitization for tactile stimulation Step 2 : Desensitization for the basket Step 3 : Training to stay Step 3 : Training to stay in the basket in a prone or lateral position Step 4 : Desensitization for inserting a needle Step 4 : Training to come to the surface / and Blood sampling Measure body weight

SC/IM via Husbandry Training

Blood Sampling via Husbandry Training

Measurement of Body Weight by Use of Husbandry Training

Summary Husbandry Training of Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes is not difficult. We readily achieved our goals using it. Husbandry training is most effective 1) for species kept in a large tank (hard to capture) 2) for large species (hard to handle) 3) when stress caused to the species can affect data collection for research. Proactive husbandry training for fish in captivity is significant in terms of animal welfare.