Thereefvet

16/12/2023

LIA Press Release: "The Long Island Aquarium, Riverhead NY proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Alex J. Hall of Aquatic Veterinary Medicine and Diagnostic Services (AVMADS)/ Massapequa Pet Vet, as the new Coordinator of Aquatic Medicine. Drawing upon extensive experience and expertise in aquatic veterinary medicine, Dr. Hall significantly enhances Long Island Aquarium's dedication to the health and welfare of marine animals.

As Director, Dr. Hall will oversee and advance the veterinary care protocols for the diverse aquatic life at Long Island Aquarium, reinforcing the institution's dedication to excellence in animal healthcare. His extensive background in fish and invertebrate medicine positions him as a key asset in maintaining the well-being of the aquarium's inhabitants.

Dr. Hall, known as Thereefvet on social media, is recognized for his contributions to aquatic veterinary research and his commitment to education in the field. His appointment reflects Long Island Aquarium's ongoing efforts to elevate standards in aquatic veterinary care and contribute to the broader understanding of marine life health.

Dr. Hall expresses his excitement about joining the team, stating, "I am eager to contribute to the continued success of Long Island Aquarium. Working alongside professionals like Lizeth A. Webster, and Joe Yaiullo , is a tremendous opportunity to further advance our commitment to marine conservation and excellence in aquatic animal healthcare. "

03/07/2023

Popeye is a condition that can affect a variety of fish species including, clownfish which I've observed more frequently recently. Similar to exophthalmos, it is characterized by the enlargement or protrusion of one or both eyes. Popeye in clownfish is frequently caused by a bacterial infection, which is typically the result of poor water quality or an eye injury.

However, this does not imply that antibiotics should be administered in every case of Popeye! Antibiotics should only be administered when the case or presentation warrants it! Misuse of antibiotics not only will not aid in the resolution of the case, but it also places future fish at risk for the emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics! Before using antibiotics, all other causes of Popeye must be eliminated.

This includes….

1) Ensuring that the fish has a high plane of nutrition.
2) Ensuring a low stress environment (Increased levels of stress directly down regulate the immune system, but that’s a post for another day.)
3) Ensuring the water quality is pristine, as this is a large factor in the outcome of the disease.

Finally, if the symptoms do not resolve or continue to worsen…

The edema can be aspirated and sent for culture and sensitivity testing to determine if an infection is present and to which antibiotics the infecting bacteria are susceptible. This should never be done at home and should only be performed by a trained veterinarian, as improper ex*****on of the procedure may result in the blinding and mortality of the fish.

21/06/2023

Couldn’t be more pleased with my contributions to aquatic medicine in my first textbook chapter on coral diseases!

It is an honour to have my work published alongside that of distinguished veterinarians spanning so many facets of aquatic medicine!

15/06/2023

Veterinary School Complete✅

24/05/2023

Zoanthid-Eating Sea Spider!

Pycnogonids, also known as sea spiders, are a fascinating group of marine arthropods. Despite their name, they are members of the Pycnogonida class and not genuine spiders. Differentiating characteristics distinguish pycnogonids from other arthropods. Their bodies are long and lithe, with multiple pairs of articulated legs. They also have a proboscis-like feeding apparatus known as a chelifore. Unique appendages on the ends of their chelifores allow them to grasp and control their prey. The majority of pycnogonids are carnivorous, feeding on tiny marine invertebrates such as hydroids, bryozoans, and soft corals. They use their chelifores to capture and consume their prey, frequently puncturing them to obtain fluids.

15/05/2023

Cymothoa, the tongue-eating parasite!

Cymothoa is a crustacean parasite that has evolved an extraordinary lifestyle, attaching itself to the gills or mouth of a fish and feeding on the blood and tissues of its host. These crustacean parasites have an elongated, flattened body that allows them to attach securely to the gills or mouth of a fish. They have powerful pincers for attachment and a specialized mouthpart which invades into the blood supply of the host. Cymothoa’s life cycle begins as a male larva. These larvae are free-swimming and typically seek out fish as hosts. Once the larva has found a fish host, it enters through the gills and adheres to the base of the fish's tongue. As Cymothoa grows, it consumes the blood vessels that attach the fish's tongue to its body, eventually causing the tongue to atrophy and fall off. The parasite then attaches itself to the residual portion of the fish's tongue, functioning as a substitute tongue. It feeds on the blood and mucous of the fish by attaching to the tip of the tongue. Cymothoa does not typically cause substantial harm or affect the fish's ability to survive, despite the fact that it may seem detrimental to the fish. As long as it remains affixed to the tongue stub, the parasite will continue to feed on the fish's blood and mucus. This is one of the few known instances of parasitism in which the parasite entirely replaces the organ it infects.

Jonathan Lin, thank you for sending me these incredible photographs. Amazingly, he was able to acquire these photographs during a dive in the Lembeh Strait!

* If you have images of fish with parasites, please submit them!

20/11/2022

Continuing from yesterday's post...

Euphyllia Flatworms come in a variety of species! This variant is much smaller than the flatworm reported yesterday. According to anecdotal evidence, the smaller variance appears to be more harmful. They tend to collect in vast quantities within the coral polyp. Causing coral loss more quickly than other species, however this has to be confirmed further.

The species posted yesterday does not appear to spend as much time within the polyp, which is why colonies infected with this species may not undergo total polyp closure, but rather a more progressive decline.

19/11/2022

Euphyllia-eating Flatworm

These polyclad worms may be to blame for more Euphyllia deaths than previously thought. The parasite is most likely to be overlooked unless the coral is thoroughly examined, as they can live in the closed polyp. If you have a slow progression of death (closed polyps) throughout numerous colonies, this should be a significant differential, provided the water quality is par. If the fatalities were caused by poor water quality, the distribution of dying heads would be more diffuse across the colony rather than polyp to polyp spread.

Removing a head and immersing it in a cup of tank water for a few minutes increases your chances of detecting these worms significantly. Due of the absence of flow, they will emerge from within the polyp. In the vast majority of cases you will NOT be able to detect these worms while the colony is still inside the tank.

21/09/2022

Acropora-Eating Flatworms ID Card!

19/09/2022

Fight induced trauma followed by Uronema colonization.

This young Maroon Clownfish got into a fight with its mate. Leading to this open lesion. The debrided tissue was then examined under microscopy. Interestingly enough small numbers of Uronema sp. were present.

This is why it is critical to quarantine your fish! Even though there wasn’t an overt lesion due to the disease, The fish is still a carrier!

Once the Uronema colonizes the wound they can start to replicate. Eventually killing the host and spreading to other fish in the system.

12/09/2022

4 Weeks since the exopthalamus episode. Fortunately, completely healed and healthy.

Cause of the exopthalamus was mostly due to bacterial infection as per the history. Treated with a 2 week course of intracoelomic antibiotics.

12/09/2022

Flesh eating parasite on a Bicolor Foxface Rabbitfish!

The fish succumbed to the disease early this morning and necropsy would immediately preformed. The following samples were taken and analyzed under microscopy; kidney, liver, intestinal track, spleen, mucus coating, and all external lesions were scraped.

On gross examination this Foxface presented with a large narcotizing lesions laterally. The wound was hemorrhagic in nature and open to to the external environment. This communication with the external environment puts a tremendous strain on the fish’s renal system. In some cases, the fish dies from renal failure, before they would have succumbed to the disease.

Upon entering the body cavity ascites was evident, also pointing toward renal impairment. As well as extremely edematous kidneys. However, no parasitic organisms were found in any of the sampled tissues. Suggesting death wasn’t directly caused by the parasite, but rather secondary kidney failure due to the lesion created.

The external lesions were sampled and a moderate population of scutiociliates were found. This is another example of Uronema mariunum I believe. Interestingly enough is appears this fish only contracted the external variety of the disease rather than the internal/external variates I’ve seen in the past.

Updates to follow as I process the biopsies.

06/09/2022

The external microscopy examination revealed a bacterial cause for the lesions presented. This clownfish will be placed on intramuscular Enrofloxicin empirically. If symptoms do not begin to resolve within the next few days. A bacterial sample will be sent out for culture and sensitivity to determine the most appropriate antibiotic.

04/09/2022

Scale scrapes are an essential part of the external examination. The scales and fish mucus acquired will be examined under microscopy for parasites!

04/09/2022

After a 2 week course of intramuscular antibiotics, followed by another 2 weeks of healing time. This Clownfish’s exophthalmus has been cured. He will remain in this anemone basket for another few weeks to be monitored. Having the anemones present, as well as his mate dramatically reduces stress, improving outcomes and survival rates.

Exopthalamus can be caused by many different conditions and is a symptom rather than a specific condition. The history around this clownfish made me suspect an infectious case, warranting the use of antibiotics.

The anemones nor his mate would be present if he was still being treated for an infectious case. Since the infection has cleared, managing stress and nutrition become the priorities.

Refer to the post on Aug. 28, 2022 to see the severity of the exopthalamus.

28/08/2022

A formalin bath for this dirty Clownfish! He was in a tank with an unidentified protozoal disease so prophylactic actions are being taken.

28/08/2022

Video from Aug, 1.

Exopthalamus in a Clownfish. He has been intramuscular Enrofloxicin for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks of healing time. Video to show the progression posted shortly.

04/08/2022

Exopthalamus in a Clownfish.

Differential Diagnosis: Bacterial Infection? Renal Failure? Trauma?☠️

More information will be given once the case progresses. 📖

It will be treated as an infectious cause until proven otherwise. 🦠

The fish will be placed on intramuscular antibiotics on suspicion of a systemic bacterial infection. 💊

09/07/2022

04/07/2022

Scale scrapes are essential when trying to determine the cause of death. They provide incite into the health of the integument and the ectoparasitic load!

23/06/2022

Copperband Butterfly Post-Mortem

During this stage of the PM the gill arches are separated and the gill filaments are combed through looking for external parasites and internal hemorrhages!

What external parasites might you expect to find hiding in the gills?

23/06/2022

Juvenile Maroon Clownfish final formalin bath before graduating quarantine!

All fish could be quarantined before being added to a display! THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Introducing fish that aren't quarantined dramatically increases the risks of disease outbreak, some of which can be incredibly hard to treat. Reef tanks should take extra caution, as a lot of treatments are contraindicated with corals present.

These fish are not QTed in this both, the is just for chemical baths . They are housed in a separate QT system.

12/06/2022

Scuticociliates causing the hemoharrgic lesions posted previously.

Species still unknown.

12/06/2022

Hemorrhagic lesions caused by a Scuticociliatosis infection!

These flesh eating protozoa are extremely deadly as mortality percentages are extremely high once infected. Once the fish begins to present with these lesions death is around the counter. The lesions will begin to ulcerate, destroying the barrier between the fish’s internal organs and the environment. Not only do these organisms eat the skin of their host, but once they have gained entry into the abdominal cavity they will begin eatings the hosts internal organs!

I’m still currently working out the species of the parasitic protozoa. Updates will follow.

Videos of the protozoa will also be posted.

10/06/2022

Copper Band Butterfly post-mortem external parasite examination under microscopy!