LAR Standard Operating Procedures

Slimy Sculpin and Longnose Dace Care and Husbandry

Last updated: November 13, 2012

Purpose

Here in describes the standard operating procedures for the care and husbandry of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae).  Our current knowledge regarding the thermal habitats and the effects of competition on thermal requirements of native nongame fishes (sculpin and dace) are unknown. This planned experiment will elucidate some of these interactions and help us assess how sensitive these species are to changes in temperature.

Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the LAR staff to conduct daily monitoring in the Aquatic Habitat Stand-alone Recirculating Fish Rack System (ZF0601), including: monitoring of the room temperature, measuring of basic water quality conditions, feeding fish as agreed upon and scheduled with LeMoine or Eby, checking for mortalities and ensuring the tank system is operating adequately.

Eby, LeMoine, and staff are responsible for calibration and upkeep of the water quality meter (YSI 5200), expanded weekly water quality monitoring, filter replacement, tank system settings and maintenance and any activities that directly related to the experiment.

** Cleaners and detergents of any kind cannot be used on any items that will contact with tank water.**

Procedure

Daily

• Record room temperature, if room temperatures are above 75 degrees Fahrenheit contact Mike LeMoine or Lisa Eby
• Check for water and fish on the floor
• Check if AC unit is operating
• Check if pump is on and the water PSI on the right gage is <6 PSI and on the left gage is  <12 PSI,  If PSI reads higher than these values contact Mike LeMoine or Lisa Eby.
• Record (YSI 5200) water quality meter measures and record on datasheet
• Temperature, DO, pH, S. Cond. and Chiller Temperature
  • Contact Mike LeMoine or Lisa Eby if there is a change in temperature of >0.5 C, dissolved oxygen of >1.0 mg/L, or pH of >1.0 units.  If dissolved oxygen is below 7.5 mg/L see criteria for critical actions below.

• Analyze ammonia concentrations using the provided Hach Inc. kit.
  • Be sure to rinse all containers 3 times with filtered water and 3 times with sample before use
  • If ammonia concentrations are > 0.20 mg/L see criteria for critical actions below and contact either Mike LeMoine or Lisa Eby
• Feed and check for mortalities

Feeding and Mortalities

• Melt 3 cubes of feed (either frozen brine shrimp or frozen blood worms) with water in small beaker (50ml), using a wide mouth bulb pipet add small proportion of feed to each tank.  Repeat feeding until all the feed has been given.  Once feed is added be sure to step back, your presence may limit feeding of some fish.
• Check for mortalities while feeding, remove mortalities, measure their total length (mm) and place in a zip-lock bag.  Record the tank the fish came from and the total length of the fish on the ziplock bag.  Place the fish in the freezer and contact Mike LeMoine or Lisa Eby.

Euthanasia (if you feel a fish must be euthanized please contact Mike or Lisa)

• MS 222 is commercially available as tricaine methane sulfonate (TMS), which can be used for the euthanasia of amphibians and fish
• Tricaine is a benzoic acid derivative and, in water of low alkanlinity (<50 mg/L as CACO3); the solution should be buffered with sodium bicarbonate. 10 g/L stock solution can be made, and sodium bicarbonate added to saturation, resulting in a pH between 7.0 and 7.5 for the solution
• Prepared MS 222 will be provided and stored in the small refrigerator in room 18A, this solution will be kept in a dark brown bottle and replaced monthly or when a precipitate forms.
• For euthanasia, a concentration >250mg/L is recommended and fish should be left in this solution for at least 10 minutes flowing cessation of opecular movement

Criteria for critical actions (all solutions are on table)

-If ammonia is over 0.20 mg/L add ~20ml of ammonia neutralizer (AMQuel Plus)

-If ammonia is over 0.30 mg/L add ~40ml of ammonia neutralizer (AMQuel Plus)

-If pH is below 6.90 and ½ cap full of pH buffer (Neutral Regulator)

-If DO drops below 7.5 mg/L plug in aerator on the top row

Contacts

1. Michael LeMoine;  cell phone: 360-927-5865;  email: michael1.lemoine@umconnect.umt.edu
2. Lisa Eby; office 243-5984,  cell phone: 406-529-5132; email: lisa.eby@umontana.edu
3. Grace Malato; cell phone: 773-820-2502; email: grace.malato@umconnect.umt.edu