Jay Hemdal
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Fish Medic
Hi folks,
I was working on some material today and wanted to get input from people about anything I might have missed. Please let me know what you think:
Body Condition Score (BCS)
For many domestic animals, diagrams have been made to allow people to assess the Body Condition Score, (BCS) of their animals; dogs, livestock etc. can be given a score (usually 1 to 5) that ranks a specimen’s condition based on its overall appearance. Most fish do not have these set rankings developed for them, but the same basic process applies:
1 – Severely emaciated.
The fish will show a pinched belly as below, but will also be thin in the back and the nape. Lethargy may also be seen. Emaciated fish will use their liver for energy. When that reaches a certain point, it is not reversible. Fish subjected to a sudden rise in the salinity of their water may struggle to maintain osmotic balance, and will show sudden, severe emaciation, and may also show sunken eyes.
2 – Thin.
The main symptom is a “pinched belly”. If the fish is feeding normally, an increased diet will resolve this problem. Chronic thinness in well fed fish may indicate internal parasites.
3 – Normal condition.
Using images of normal fish in the wild, the captive fish is compared and will closely resemble them. This is the preferred condition.
4 – Over conditioned.
Typically, the fish will show a swollen abdomen, or “pot belly”. This can be from a recently consumed large meal, or can persist even between meals. In fish with kidney or liver disease, ascites can cause a swollen abdomen. Female fish with eggs may also develop swelling of the abdomen, but this will typically be greater further back, near the vent, and not centrally, where the stomach is.
5 – Obese.
The fish will show not only a swollen belly, but will also be thicker than normal in the nape and back. Beware that edema (fluids in the body) can give similar symptoms. If the fish’s scales are protruding, like a pineapple, this is edema (dropsy) and not obesity.
Thanks,
Jay
I was working on some material today and wanted to get input from people about anything I might have missed. Please let me know what you think:
Body Condition Score (BCS)
For many domestic animals, diagrams have been made to allow people to assess the Body Condition Score, (BCS) of their animals; dogs, livestock etc. can be given a score (usually 1 to 5) that ranks a specimen’s condition based on its overall appearance. Most fish do not have these set rankings developed for them, but the same basic process applies:
1 – Severely emaciated.
The fish will show a pinched belly as below, but will also be thin in the back and the nape. Lethargy may also be seen. Emaciated fish will use their liver for energy. When that reaches a certain point, it is not reversible. Fish subjected to a sudden rise in the salinity of their water may struggle to maintain osmotic balance, and will show sudden, severe emaciation, and may also show sunken eyes.
2 – Thin.
The main symptom is a “pinched belly”. If the fish is feeding normally, an increased diet will resolve this problem. Chronic thinness in well fed fish may indicate internal parasites.
3 – Normal condition.
Using images of normal fish in the wild, the captive fish is compared and will closely resemble them. This is the preferred condition.
4 – Over conditioned.
Typically, the fish will show a swollen abdomen, or “pot belly”. This can be from a recently consumed large meal, or can persist even between meals. In fish with kidney or liver disease, ascites can cause a swollen abdomen. Female fish with eggs may also develop swelling of the abdomen, but this will typically be greater further back, near the vent, and not centrally, where the stomach is.
5 – Obese.
The fish will show not only a swollen belly, but will also be thicker than normal in the nape and back. Beware that edema (fluids in the body) can give similar symptoms. If the fish’s scales are protruding, like a pineapple, this is edema (dropsy) and not obesity.
Thanks,
Jay
