Microscopes

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The PERCH MAN ABN 42 065 149 145

Why would you use a microscope? 

Early detection can save fish losses, which equals saving you money. A microscope will help you identify diseases. 

Click hereto see how to use your phone to record video and take pictures from your microscope. You can send me pictures so I can help you with any issues you might have,

In a basic aquatic environment, Host + Pathogen + Unsuitable Environment = Disease. Growing fish in an artificial environment usually = unsuitable environment. Its not that your have a bad system, or something is wrong with your pond or tank water. It's just that it is not a natural environment. Particularly when it comes to stocking density. Therefore if we had a situation free of any one of the above mentioned components, will reduce or remove the possibility of disease occurring.  Disease causing organisms are usually present most of the time, even in good conditions, and especially in open ponds. All it just takes a stress of some kind, whether it be temperature, water quality, handling etc to occur and this stress can reduce the fishes natural immune response.  Whilst the immune response of the fish is hampered, diseases are able to take hold, probably affecting productivity and fish performance or even to the point of killing them. Neither scenario makes for profitable farming.  That’s where microscopes can be a powerful management tool to a fish grower. You need to know how to use them and what sort to use.

There three main types of microscopes, the Stereo Monocular and Binocular and Dissecting Microscopes.

I use a compound binocular microscope. X40 for a quick scan. X100 for most Protozoa and X 1000 for great detail if needed. 
Having a good microscope is great but using it correctly makes the difference. Good brand new can cost from au$700+. It is import to take regular samples of fish for observation, as early detection of disease, will save you fish losses. The easiest and most common sample is a skin smear. Gil samples should also be taken.

Common infections include:

  • Monogenean infestations from Gyrodactylid or Dactylogrids, commonly referred to as flukes, a type of parasite.
  • Ectoparasitic Protozoans such as White Spot (Ich Infection), Chilodonella & Trichodina, also types of parasites.
  • Bacterial, Columnaris Infection
  • Fungal Infection, Saprolegnia

 The members area of this web site has detailed information about jade perch, including growing and disease management  click for more

20161028 155030 636x640 Dust and moisture are the enemy of the microscope 640x360 HIGH POWERED MICROSCOPE WITH CAMERA 360x640
 A medium powered Binocular microscope.  CENTRE: Dust and moisture are the enemy of microscopes. keep them covered or in their box when not in use. A high power binocular with camera.
Low power dissecting microscope 360x640

 

LEFT: This low power dissecting microscope is ideal for looking at larger pathogens such as Anchor worm (Lernaea) and Argulus, or fish lice, and any larger objects. If you look closely at this picture, (or right click and open picture in a new tab.) you will see there is corrosion from the salty water that came in with the samples. This microscope is well over 20 years old, but it could have lasted anopther 20 years if it had been maintained correctly.

RIGHT: I use the dissecting microscope to look at larvae as well as pathogens. The jade perch larvae on the right are 5 days old. you can see their stomach is full of food.

  close view day 5
On the right is a YouTube video of our larvae hatching under the dissecting microscope.   larvaeclick to view