Abstract

In an effort to contribute to sustaining fish biodiversity, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan has worked on developing health management methodologies for fish in aquaria and performed various types of research for collecting physiological and behavioral data as a part of in and ex situ conservation activities. However, the process of selecting and capturing one particular fish out of many from a large exhibit tank is often a difficult task and can pose safety risks for the staff. Also fish become stressed while going through physical restraint at the time of the test or examination. Furthermore there is a risk of losing credibility of the collected data. Under these circumstances, we have been conducting husbandry training in an attempt to perform inspection, palpation, gill examination, weight check, logger installation, biopsy, ultrasound examination, collection of blood and treatment, for Chondrichthyes such as zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum) and whale shark (Rhincodon typus), and for Osteichthyes like Spotted halibut (Verasper variegates), Reticulated pufferfish (Arothron reticularis) and ocean sunfish (Mola mola) with minimum difficulty. Examples of such efforts for fish health management are presented.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff of the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan for their help and specifically. We would also like to thank Dr. Donald Stremme, director of AQUAVET, University of Pennsylvania, for reviewing this presentation.

* Presenting author