Wild fish in a tank???
- Thread starter snakeskinner
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I can answer to some degree...Leaches, fish lice, and furunculosis (bacterial infection, often called fungus) are most common. Other parasitizing organisms could include larval mussels, depending on the time of year and collection site. Mussel larva almost all parasitize fish, but some are species specifica, so it's a hit or miss. Many parasites (whirling disease, for example) are multi-host parasites,and most likely will not be able to complete their lifecycle in your tank, so are not a huge threat. Internal parasites, such as many species of embedding worms will be the hardest to treat, but probably won't be found in a young fish.
Agree--pretty well any wild caught fish should be considered suspect and treated accordingly. Salt bathes are used often in hatcheries for most external parasites, and should be safe for most wild fish.
Agree--pretty well any wild caught fish should be considered suspect and treated accordingly. Salt bathes are used often in hatcheries for most external parasites, and should be safe for most wild fish.
LMOUTHBASS
My hypocrisy goes only so far
when i go fishing and catch say a bass- and the thing looks great it is still prob cov in parasites either internally and /or externally?
so most fish in the wild can survive most parasites though because of a built up immune system to their natural surroundings though right?
otherwise fish woul be dropping like flies - at least this is my guess???
so most fish in the wild can survive most parasites though because of a built up immune system to their natural surroundings though right?
otherwise fish woul be dropping like flies - at least this is my guess???
Yes and no. Parasites in the wild are controlled by factors not found in the aquarium. Different strains of fish are resistant to parasites--for example, rainbow trout are verys susceptible to whirling disease, but brown trout and cutthroat are not. The bigger factor is space. A parasite in the wild has a very slim shot at finding a host,let alone 2 or 3 at just the right times, so few survive. In an aquarium, especially for single host parasites like ich, the hosts are literally a captive supply, and almost every parasite will find a host. In wild populations, few fish will be heavily infested, and from some waters, none will be. For example, one local lake has lots of leaches--almost every fish pulled out will have a few of them. But, fish lice are seldom seen. Other waters, I've never seen a infected fish from them. Not to say they don't exist, just in much lower concentrations.
There is a lot of evidence indicating that parasites, along with predator/prey relationships, are a major driving force in evolution. Parasites are amazingly complex and effective--some so much so that they control/influence behavior of infected animals.
There is a lot of evidence indicating that parasites, along with predator/prey relationships, are a major driving force in evolution. Parasites are amazingly complex and effective--some so much so that they control/influence behavior of infected animals.
LMOUTHBASS
My hypocrisy goes only so far
OG - just curious - you know so much about all types of fish etc always very helpful - i remember seeing in one of your posts something about working in a hatchery or something - i was just wondering what you do? lol i know you must be in some type of fish related field! ?
anyhow i always appreciate your help!
anyhow i always appreciate your help!
I am actually a computer geek by trade, but I work in the Fish Division of the Game and Fish. So, I get to help other people lots--pulling nets, marking/spawning/stocking fish, monitoring/improving habitat, ect. I build and maintain the databases that track of the the data collected in the state, and it's much easier to my job if i understand where the data comes from, what it means, and what it's used for by the biologists.
LMOUTHBASS
My hypocrisy goes only so far
that is pretty awesome - i have always wanted to do something like that as a career since i was a kid i always have had a fascination with fish and animals in general - big fan of the discovery channel growing up hahaha - unfortunately i work in the health insurance field though lol
I'm really fortunate--I've been a biology buff for a really long time, and being able to work closely with the biologists here is great. They are very supportive of my position, and willing to help me understand things that are very basic to them--plus they like talking to someone interested in their jobs!
LMOUTHBASS
My hypocrisy goes only so far
that is so cool - are you in school or anything to go further into the field?
i wish i went to school for marine biology myself but i'm taking business classes
lol oh well
i wish i went to school for marine biology myself but i'm taking business classes
lol oh well
Re: i wonder though
My aquarium club did a native collecting trip in eastern Oklahoma last summer. The most common parasites were anchor worms. I've got a red ear and some other sort of sunfish in one of my 125g's right now. I also have the usual minnows and Gambusia species, plus some sort of killie fish.
My aquarium club did a native collecting trip in eastern Oklahoma last summer. The most common parasites were anchor worms. I've got a red ear and some other sort of sunfish in one of my 125g's right now. I also have the usual minnows and Gambusia species, plus some sort of killie fish.
