Chapter 4 - Aquatic Management

Question 1

How are aquatic and semiaquatic animals typically monitored? Should they be handled? Why?

Answer 1

Visually. Handling should be kept to a minimum to avoid damage to the protective mucus layers of the skin and negative effects on immune function.

Question 2

What type of gloves have been associated with toxicity in amphibians? The use of what equipment can reduce skin damage and thus stress?

Answer 2

Latex. Nets by well-trained personnel.

Question 3

When should nets be cleaned/disinfected? What should they be dedicated to?

Answer 3

When used in different systems. Should be dedicated to animals of similar health status whenever possible.

Question 4

How SHOULD food be stored? What SHOULD food delivery method ensure? Must fish be fed ad libitum or daily?

Answer 4

In a type-appropriate manner to preserve nutritional content, minimize contamination, and prevent entry of pests. Should ensure all animals are able to access food for a sufficient period of time while minimizing feeding aggression and nutrient loss. No.

Question 5

For how long should commercial diets be stored? Live food sources need to be maintained and managed to ensure what? What type of diet should be fed?

Answer 5

Based on manufacturer recommendations or follow commonly accepted practices. Live food must be in steady supply and ensure the health and suitability of the organism as food. Nutritionally complete diet.

Question 6

Why might substrates be provided? How do they serve a role in the life support system? What cleaning do they require?

Answer 6

Species-appropriate behavior such as burrowing, foraging, or enhanced spawning. Provide increased surface area for denitrifying bacteria. Need routine siphoning to remove organic debris

Question 7

How is sanitation of the aquatic environment provided? How does this differ from terrestrial systems?

Answer 7

Appropriately designed and managed life support system, regular removal of solid waste materials from enclosure bottom, and periodic water changes. Differs as nitrogenous waste and respiratory output is dissolved in water.

Question 8

What is the role of the skimmer in saltwater systems?

Answer 8

Remove dissolved proteins

Question 9

Removing organic solids from the system limits the quantities of what?

Answer 9

Nitrogen and phosphorus

Question 10

How is nitrate removed from the system?

Answer 10

Generally through water changes, although large systems may have a specialized denitrification system.

Question 11

How is disinfection usually accomplished?

Answer 11

Water treatment (filtration and UV) and/or water changes

Question 12

Excessive algal growth may be an indicator of what? What type of algal species are typically seen in recirculating systems? How is algae removed? Why is this important? Where is cyanobacteria common?

Answer 12

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus. Non-toxic, although species capable of producing a toxin exist. Mechanical methods. Allow viewing of the animals. Cyanobacteria in freshwater aquaculture.

Question 13

Why is regular changing of tanks not integral to maintain adequate hygiene in typical aquatic systems?

Answer 13

Because waste is dissolved in the water/and or removed as solids by siphoning or filtration.

Question 14

What SHOULD the frequency of cleaning and disinfection be determined by? How often may lids require sanitation?

Answer 14

Water quality, which should permit adequate viewing of the animals and animal health monitoring. Lids, which may accumulate feed, may require sanitation as often as weekly.

Question 15

How SHOULD cleaning agents for the macroenvironment be chosen?

Answer 15

With care, to ensure there is no secondary contamination of the aquatic system.

Question 16

How is wastewater treated?

Answer 16

Wastewater treatment and disposal may be necessary in some facilities depending on water volume, quality, and chemical constituents. Local regulations may limit or control the release of wastewater.

Question 17

Why might aquatic and semiaquatic species be more sensitive to commonly used pest control agents than terrestrial animals?

Answer 17

Transcutaneous absorption

Question 18

Aquatic species should be care for by qualified personnel who have a sufficient understanding of the housing system to do what?

Answer 18

Identify malfunctions and, if they are unable to address a system failure of such magnitude that it requires resolution before the next workday, access to staff who can respond to the problem.

Question 19

How can aquatic species be identified? Is group identification appropriate?

Answer 19

Fin clipping, genetic testing, identification tags, SQ injections of elastomeric or other materials, individual transponder tags, and external features such as individual color pattern. Yes, with some small aquatic animals.

Question 20

What records SHOULD be kept regarding food?

Answer 20

Feeding information, nonexpired food supplies, and any live cultures.

Question 21

What are records of water quality testing for system and source water and maintenance activities of the life support system components important for?

Answer 21

Tracking and ensuring water quality.

Question 22

Is tracking of animal numbers possible in aquatic systems?

Answer 22

Possible with accurate records of transfers, breeding, and mortalities. In large groups periodic census may be undertaken. In large-scale aquaculture, may be more appropriate to measure biomass.