Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians Flashcards
What are the main characteristics of fish necessary for their survival in their water environment?
Air/swim bladder
-amplifies sound, assists swimming, supplementary breathing organ
Lateral line
Extra sense to receive vibrations
-currents, temperature, escape, travelling in dark/murky water
Only inner ear and no eyelids
Scales increase in size (not number) as fish grows
Breathing:
- open mouth, operculum closes
- close mouth, operculum opens
- 95% oxygen in gulp removed by gills when water pushed out
Whatis the main purpose in a water change?
Remove uneaten food, debris, waste = even water flow
Aesthetic appearance
Decrease ammonia and nitrite levels in tank
Decrease disease spread
What is the pH of saltwater vs freshwater
SW = ~ 8.0 - 8.2
FW = 7.0 - 7.2
Which gases are important to fish?
Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide
What are the advantages of air lifts?
Removes low oxygen water from gravel bed to surface for gas exchange
Surface disruption:
bubbles = increase gas exchange
Causes water movement to move debris/waste to filter
What affects air flow?
Diameter of pipe
Air flow rate from compressor
Heigh of lift/tank height
How do you deteremine the efficiency of a filtration system?
Chemical tests of ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, pH, chlorine
How do you prepare a new fish tank?
Rinse everything with cold DCL water
Wear mask for unrinsed gravel (silica dust)
Line bottom of tank with gravel
Add filter
Add heater (in bottom 2/3’s of tank to avoid need to remove during cleaning)
Add furniture/plants based on species
Air pump placed above water line to prevent back siphoning
Turn heater, filter and air on
- let air stones saturate for ~1 hour
Age tank - check chemical levels
Water changes daily using DCL and de-gased water
Seed filter with bacteria
- add fish. slowly
Watch for air bubble disease
When examining fish, what do you look for?
Respiration rate
- normal? Gasping?
- problems caused by water movement and biomass
Colour
- normal or unusually dark/pale?
- indicator of breeding or aggression?
Unusual marks on fish
- cloudy eyes
- hemorrhage in fins/skin
- small white granules over body
- bloating
- wasting away
All appear to be there?
- look for dead or sick fish
What is important about the appearance of a fish tank from a public perspective?
Haze (bacterial slime)
- result of natural biological processes (bacterial growth)
- food source = bacterial growth
Green haze
-excessive nutrients (nitrates, phosphates, light) create ideal conditions for algae growth
Decor clean or algae covered?
-regular removal keeps algae in check
How do you set up an amphibian enclosure?
Gravel layer
Clean substrate 1” thick
Sphagnum/sheet moss
-soaked overnight and thoroughly rinsed
Water level at least 6” below upper level of moss
-water slowly wicks up through substrate
3-4” depression in substrate for shallow pool
Plants
- all/most soil removed from roots (decrease parasites)
- roots need oxygen
- too much water can kill
Heat lamp and basking spot with UV light
Furniture
-hide, height, change
False bottom enclosure good for cleanliness and removal of waste water
Describe the process by which a snake sheds its skin
Secretes thin layer of fluid between new and old skin
= milky appearance
Eyes covered with fluid
= can be blind
Snake rubs head against something hard until skin splits open
Rippling of body muscles
= outer layer of skin stretches
= snake wiggles out
Outer layer of skin is turned inside out
Skin shed in one piece
Explain a closed “freestanding” system set up for amphibians
Does not allow outflow of water and waste
May use living plants to decrease/absorb nitrogenous wastes
= close attention to hygiene and drainage is important
= must maintain balance of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down waste
= must watch that toxic levels don’t get too high
Explain an open “plumbed” system set up for amphibians
Plumbing installed to dispense excess waste products and able to rinse enclosure easily and on a regular basis
- good system for animals where moisture added constantly
- no filtration as misters flushing and dumping on a constant basis
- adjustable to provide breeding pool
- frequent flushing = decreases parasite loads in enclosure
How would you address problems with a poor snake shed?
Refer to reptile monthly logs/reports, daybook, ZIMS
-when was the last shed (and corresponding temp/humidity levels)
Check/change to substrate that holds more moisture
Check sufficient food intake
Move to smaller holding container
Put in damp snake bag
Put in rubbermaid container with water bottom
Why is it important to conduct routine observations of reptiles and amphibians?
Provides info on
- environmental life support system
- health
- social activity
- reproduction
- feeding
- visibility
Allows keepers to predict where animals will be found at different times of day/week
- feeding locations
- preferred shelter
- basking behaviour
Variations in regularly observed behaviours may provide early warning of changes in reproductive status, health or stress
Feeding considerations specific to reptiles and amphibians
Fresh killed animals may be required to stimulate feeding
-arranged for days when commissary receives live animals
Live animals not fed on display while zoo open
Animals being fed off display must be done before/after public hours
Food bowls attractive or camouflaged
To decrease food for/contamination by pests, food is not left in exhibit overnight
What information is recorded on R/A monthly reports?
Daily temp: air, hot spot, pools Daily humidity Growth measurements (length, weight) Means of identification Breeding events (copulation, egg laying) Diet changes Food intake Alterations to habitat/environment Medical conditions
Why is it important to utilize R/A monthly report
Essential for determining and documenting long term trends
Aid in determining illness or comparing diseases conditions among animals
Diary for:
- changes made by keeper (diet, enclosure)
- seasonal changes (light cycles)
- animal observations
How do you decrease the risk of disease transmission with reptiles (salmonella)
Treat all as salmonella carriers
Regular testing
Restrict public access to touching/handling of reptiles
All reptile artifacts sterilized by WHC before handling by public
Limit number of people touching reptiles
- hand wash facilities
- hand sanitizer
No contact in areas where food is being prepared or consumed
What could cause a reptile egg to not have hatched?
Needs more time
Not fertilized
Not found and incubated quickly enough
Wrong temp/humidity
Eggs were rotated or shaken
Problem with the incubator
Problem with the substrate
Not covered or not on damp paper towels
A female python is refusing food, what should you consider?
Shed Gravid Sick Temp too cold Light level too low Might not like the food that is offered
What are some signs that a reptile might be sick or injured
Regular sheds? Abnormal behaviour (basking, territory) Weight loss Activity level - more hiding Posture/responsiveness Gait Colour - generalized/patchy changes Shape - swelling Appetite increase/decrease or selective Urine/Stool - clear, chalky, liquid, blackish/brown -frequency, amount, texture,consistency, colour, smell Underside red/inflamed Discharge/bubbles from eyes/nose Foam or red discolored patches in mouth Wheezing/clicking sound when breathing
What do you do with R/A in the event of a power outage?
Consult facilities, supervisor, lead keeper
Move to central area that holds heat for longer
- or to an area heated with emergency power
- if prolonged outage or below critical temp
- animals may be left in holding containers due to limited space
- consider moving to another zoo location (WHC)
Large heated pools retain heat longer than air
-leave in pools until temps begin to drop
To reduce temperature loss:
- turn off exhaust fans
- shut all doors
- move holding containers away from walls
- insulate with styrofoam
- use heat lamps
