V-Environmental Factors on Aquatic Animal Health, Welfare and Productivity

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Questions and Answers

What is the form of ammonia that is considered toxic to fish?

Nitrite (NO2-)

Ammonium (NH4+)

Nitrate (NO3-)

Unionized Ammonia (NH3) (correct)

Which of the following symptoms is associated with ammonia toxicity in fish?

Bright coloration

Presence of bloody gills (correct)

Increased blood circulation

Swollen abdomen

Why are nitrites considered highly toxic to fish?

They lead to higher oxygen levels.

They increase water temperature.

They disrupt the absorption of food.

They result from the oxidation of ammonia. (correct)

Which water quality parameter is primarily affected by fertilizers and detergents?

Phosphates Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of increased salinity in water?

Reduced disease resistance Signup and view all the answers

How does an increase in phosphate concentration affect water quality?

Decreases dissolved oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What are the main contributors to the presence of nitrates in the water?

Uneaten feeds and fish excretion Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of salinity for freshwater fish?

0.5 ppt Signup and view all the answers

Which physical factor primarily influences metabolic rates and immune system function in fish?

Water temperature Signup and view all the answers

How does high turbidity in water affect fish?

Clogs gills and reduces feeding efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What role does proper water flow play in aquaculture?

Ensures steady oxygen supply and waste removal Signup and view all the answers

What can improper light levels lead to in fish species that are sensitive to changes in light intensity?

Stress or disorientation Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT included in the definition of water quality?

Air quality Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of low water temperature in fish?

Stress and increased disease susceptibility Signup and view all the answers

How can excessive turbidity affect the ability to monitor fish behavior?

Reduces feeding efficiency and monitoring Signup and view all the answers

What environmental factor significantly contributes to the spawning management of fish?

Light Signup and view all the answers

Which heavy metal is known to accumulate in tissues and cause physiological damage?

Mercury Signup and view all the answers

What can improper use of antibiotics lead to in fish health?

Harm to fish and food safety Signup and view all the answers

Which pathogen is classified as a fungus that can cause diseases in aquatic organisms?

Ichthyophonus sp. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a biological factor affecting aquatic environments?

Chemical runoff Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of the presence of pathogens in aquatic organisms?

Weakened immune system Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms do protozoa encompass in the context of aquatic parasites?

Ciliates and flagellates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a result of predation on fish in aquatic environments?

Behavioral changes and reduced feeding Signup and view all the answers

Which chemical is typically used in water treatment that can have harmful effects if not managed properly?

Chlorine Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely result of aggression among fish in a poorly managed aquaculture environment?

Reduced growth efficiency of some fish Signup and view all the answers

What can contribute to cannibalism in aquaculture settings?

High population density Signup and view all the answers

What type of aggression might occur when different species are mixed in aquaculture?

Interspecies aggression Signup and view all the answers

What effect can high levels of fine sediment have on fish?

Clog fish gills and smother eggs Signup and view all the answers

How does handling and transport affect fish in aquaculture?

Leads to social reorganization and stress Signup and view all the answers

How does acoustic pollution primarily affect fish behavior?

Causes stress and alters migration routes Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of uneven food distribution in aquaculture?

Increased competition and aggression Signup and view all the answers

What condition is indicated by low pH levels in water?

Acidosis Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of low dissolved oxygen levels in aquatic environments?

Asphyxiation and hypoxia in aquatic organisms Signup and view all the answers

What effect can social stress have on fish populations in aquaculture?

Reduces immune function Signup and view all the answers

What effect does excessive nutrient growth have on aquatic ecosystems?

Leads to algae die-off and oxygen depletion Signup and view all the answers

What might be a result of territorial disputes among fish in aquaculture?

Increased stress and injuries Signup and view all the answers

What are potential effects of sediment accumulation in fish habitats?

Habitat degradation and reduced shelter Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to resource competition in aquaculture?

High fish density Signup and view all the answers

What physiological effects can high pH levels cause in fish?

Skin and gill erosion Signup and view all the answers

Which ecological issue arises from high stocking rates and organic matter decomposition?

Oxygen depletion and hypoxia Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of overcrowding in aquaculture systems?

Heightened aggression and stress levels Signup and view all the answers

How does feeding competition generally affect weaker or smaller individuals in a fish population?

They may experience malnutrition and stunted growth Signup and view all the answers

What impact does inadequate parental care have on juveniles in fish species?

It leads to stress and increased mortality rates Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical behavior of dominant fish in a crowded habitat?

To bully and exclude subordinate fish Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes most to aggression in fish?

Competition for territory and resources Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of social hierarchy and dominance on fish welfare?

Increased injuries and chronic stress for subordinates Signup and view all the answers

How does competition for space and shelter affect social harmony in fish populations?

It may result in aggressive behaviors and less harmony Signup and view all the answers

What can be a result of unequal access to food in a fish population?

Growth variability and malnutrition among individuals Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Environmental Factors Affecting Aquatic Animal Health, Welfare, and Productivity

Fish are adapted to various extreme conditions, their evolutionary success relying on their ability to thrive in a variable aquatic environment.

Water Quality

Water quality encompasses physical, chemical, and biological factors influencing the beneficial use of water.

Environmental Factors Affecting Fish

Environmental factors affecting fish health, welfare, and productivity include physical, chemical, and biological factors.

Physical Factors

Water Temperature: Water temperature is the measure of heat energy in water. It significantly impacts metabolic rates, growth, and immune function in fish. Extreme temperatures (too high or too low) cause stress, reduce immune response, increasing susceptibility to disease.
Turbidity: Turbidity, caused by suspended particles, reduces sunlight penetration, clogs fish gills, lowers feeding efficiency, and causes stress. Clear water simplifies fish behavior monitoring, enabling better management practices.
Water Flow: Steady water flow in aquaculture ensures the steady supply of oxygen and the disposal of waste, promoting growth. It prevents algal blooms, which could release toxins or deplete oxygen.
Light: Controlled light periods are used to manage fish spawning. Improper light levels can stress species sensitive to changes in light intensity.
Sediment Load: High levels of suspended sediments (fine sediment) clog fish gills, reduce light penetration, smother eggs/larvae, reducing survival and decreasing reproductive success of juveniles. Sediment accumulation degrades breeding/feeding habitats, reducing food and shelter.
Noise and Vibration: Underwater noise from human activities (ships, drilling, industrial activities) disrupts communication, feeding, and reproduction. Excessive noise can cause stress and disorientation.

Chemical Factors

pH: Measuring hydrogen ion concentration, pH indicates whether water is acidic or basic. High pH (alkalosis) and low pH (acidosis) extremes can cause skin damage, gill erosion, and damage to eye lenses and cornea.
Dissolved Oxygen: Low dissolved oxygen levels can exacerbate the toxic effects of other chemicals. It causes asphyxiation or hypoxia, a significant threat for aquatic organisms. Declining oxygen levels are often associated with high stocking rates and decomposition of organic matter. A balanced ecosystem relies on microscopic algae which are a starting point of the food chain, but excessive nutrients can disrupt the ecosystem and cause algae to grow excessively and die, sinking to the bottom. This depletes the oxygen.
Ammonia: Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) occurs as unionized ammonia (NH3, toxic) and ammonium (NH4+, less harmful). High levels of ammonia can cause bloody gills, spongy gill filaments, excess slime production, and poor growth in fish.
Nitrites and Nitrates: Nitrites result from oxidizing ammonia and are highly toxic. Nitrates are less toxic byproducts of nitrogen metabolism. Excessive levels of both reduce growth rates, and reproductive success, leading to lower productivity.
Phosphates: Phosphate concentration from fertilizers and detergents increases turbidity, decreases pH, and reduces dissolved oxygen.
Salinity: Salinity, or total dissolved ions, affects fish species. Variations in salinity, caused by heavy precipitation or evaporation, affect dissolved oxygen solubility in the water. Osmoregulatory stress, reduced growth, disease resistance, and abnormalities like scale loss and eye lens opacity can result.

Pollutants and Contaminants

Heavy metals (Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic) accumulate in tissues, damaging fish.
Pesticides and herbicides can cause harm due to runoff.
Oil and hydrocarbons disrupt fish metabolism and development.

Chemicals in Aquaculture

Medications (antibiotics) are used for treating fish diseases. Improper use can harm fish and affect food safety.
Disinfectants and cleaning agents can be toxic if not properly managed.
Water treatment chemicals (chlorine, chloramines) need proper neutralization to avoid harm to fish.

Biological Factors

Pathogens: Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) can cause disease. Pathogens can weaken the immune system, disrupt biological functions, and cause mortality. Specific examples of pathogens include Flavobacterium columnare, Edwardsiella tarda, and others targeting fish skin, gills, internal organs, eyes, and skin.
Predation: Larger fish or birds can cause behavioral changes, stress, reduced feeding, and negatively impact growth/production.
Feeding competition: Competition for food among individuals leads to aggression or social stress, especially for lower-ranked individuals or those with inadequate access to food. This can result in uneven growth rate and lower productivity.
Social Hierarchy and Dominance: Territoriality, stress, and competition among organisms lead to injuries, chronic stress, and impaired immune function—affecting overall productivity.

Stocking Density: High fish densities in aquaculture systems can increase aggression, disrupt feeding, increase stress, and reduce individual space; increasing susceptibility to disease; and can cause injuries and deformities.
Parental Care: Disrupting natural caring behaviors for young ones can cause stress for parents and offspring, which ultimately causes higher juvenile mortality.
Species Mixing: Incompatible species in aquaculture systems can lead to aggression, territorial disputes, and increased cross-species disease transmission.
Human Handling and Social Stress: Frequent handling or poor transport can lead to stress, altered behavior, and compromised immune function. Handling force fish into unfamiliar environments, leading to heightened aggression and social stress, while establishing new social hierarchies.
Feeding Behavior and Social Dynamics: Competition for food, particularly in environments with uneven food distribution, can lead to aggression or social stress, causing uneven growth rate and productivity.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the effects of ammonia, nitrites, and salinity on fish and overall water quality. This quiz covers critical factors that influence aquatic life and the implications of various chemical parameters. Perfect for students and professionals in aquaculture and environmental science.