Post-mortem disection of clownfish -- what to look for?

N

Newreeflady

New member
I am suspecting that an ocellaris that I recently received died of some disease or parasite. I have frozen the specimen and would like to know from any marine biologists what I can do to see what this guy had. I am a chemist, but I have friends in biology so could likely use a microscope, etc.

Are there some good photos of parasites that I might look for? This fish may have died last night, would the parasites have abandoned the corpse? I just removed it and froze it immediately after removing it from the water.

Thanks!
Angela
 
I am unofficially banned from the Lounge, and I'd like it to stay unofficial. Plus, why would this belong there, it is clearly not lounge material.

Regards,
Angela
 
Sorry, just no way for me to not think of this as mega creepy, and it seems pointless to me, but then I'm no bio student.
It won't change anything or bring a future cure I don't think, it just happens.
But this is just my opinion, and it reminds me of what our neighborhood homeless guy did w/ his puppy, so yeah, mega creepy!
 
Some people, usually those of us who are scientifically driven, just like to find the answer. Whether a cure were to come from it or not, it would be a learning experience. Plus, what would be the negative to finding a clue as to what killed the fish? This might help one rule out other possible culprits that normal testing would not be able to identify. Just my .02 though.

Wish I could be more help, but I think anything you would have found would likely be very hard to identify after the tissues were frozen (especially if done in your home freezer). Good luck though!
 
davocean said:
Sorry, just no way for me to not think of this as mega creepy, and it seems pointless to me, but then I'm no bio student.
It won't change anything or bring a future cure I don't think, it just happens.
But this is just my opinion, and it reminds me of what our neighborhood homeless guy did w/ his puppy, so yeah, mega creepy!
Click to expand...

I'm a scientist, so this sort of stuff floats my boat. Not trying to resurrect the fish;)

-A
 
RockinReef651 said:
Wish I could be more help, but I think anything you would have found would likely be very hard to identify after the tissues were frozen (especially if done in your home freezer). Good luck though!
Click to expand...


Darnit! I hadn't thought about ruining the tissue (yeah, chemist, not biologist). I was thinking it would be worse if it were to rot, so freezing it would be the best move. Should've driven to the lab and plunged it into liquid nitrogen.

:/
 
Sorry, maybe I should keep my opinion to myself.
I'm more into preventative measures, like the quarantine tank we discussed last.
 
davocean said:
Sorry, maybe I should keep my opinion to myself.
I'm more into preventative measures, like the quarantine tank we discussed last.
Click to expand...

No worries, you are entitled to your opinions on science.

Furthermore, I agree with you that this fish should have been QTd (as should all when possible.)

Regards,
Angela
 
I do not think you will find anything of substance. Try scraping skin while fish is alive next time. Wrap it in the towel and go for it.
 
MarinaP said:
I do not think you will find anything of substance. Try scraping skin while fish is alive next time. Wrap it in the towel and go for it.
Click to expand...

I am hoping I will never have another sick/diseased fish (I've been lucky, this is actually my first that I can think of in 10 years!) But, if I do, and it dies, I will take your advice.

Thanks:)
Angela
 
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