Difference between revisions of "Ornamental Fish Q&A 06"

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Chlorine/chloramine toxicity
 
Chlorine/chloramine toxicity
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|l1=Chlorine/Chloramine Toxicity
 
|q2=How can you confirm your diagnosis?
 
|q2=How can you confirm your diagnosis?
 
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In this particular case, levels were recorded at 1.2 p.p.m. (several hours after the water sample was obtained). A bench-top chlorine titrimeter was used, although much simpler and less expensive colormetric tests are available.
 
In this particular case, levels were recorded at 1.2 p.p.m. (several hours after the water sample was obtained). A bench-top chlorine titrimeter was used, although much simpler and less expensive colormetric tests are available.
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|l2=Chlorine/Chloramine Toxicity#Diagnosis
 
|q3=What are the principles of chlorine toxicity?
 
|q3=What are the principles of chlorine toxicity?
 
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Although relatively harmless to humans, chlorine can be deadly to fish. The amount of chlorine in tap water may fluctuate but is usually between 0.5 and 2.0 p.p.m. Chlorine can be ‘bubbled’ out of water by aerating for several days in a container with a large surface area. Another commonly used disinfectant is chloramine. This compound combines chlorine with ammonia, both of which are harmful to ornamental fish. Unlike chlorine, chloramine does not produce trihalomethanes, which are toxic to humans.
 
Although relatively harmless to humans, chlorine can be deadly to fish. The amount of chlorine in tap water may fluctuate but is usually between 0.5 and 2.0 p.p.m. Chlorine can be ‘bubbled’ out of water by aerating for several days in a container with a large surface area. Another commonly used disinfectant is chloramine. This compound combines chlorine with ammonia, both of which are harmful to ornamental fish. Unlike chlorine, chloramine does not produce trihalomethanes, which are toxic to humans.
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|l3=Chlorine/Chloramine Toxicity
 
|q4=What other conditions resemble chlorine toxicity?
 
|q4=What other conditions resemble chlorine toxicity?
 
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Many toxic conditions will resemble chlorine poisoning (ammonia, copper, and organophosphates). An accurate history will usually rule these out. Hypoxia caused by overcrowding or poor aeration can also look like chlorine toxicity.
 
Many toxic conditions will resemble chlorine poisoning (ammonia, copper, and organophosphates). An accurate history will usually rule these out. Hypoxia caused by overcrowding or poor aeration can also look like chlorine toxicity.
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|l4=Chlorine/Chloramine Toxicity
 
|q5=How can such a problem be prevented in the future?
 
|q5=How can such a problem be prevented in the future?
 
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When possible or practical, administering dexamethasone intravenously or intraperitoneally at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg every 12 hours may improve the prognosis.
 
When possible or practical, administering dexamethasone intravenously or intraperitoneally at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg every 12 hours may improve the prognosis.
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|l5=Chlorine/Chloramine Toxicity#Prevention
 
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Revision as of 23:07, 28 October 2011

Ornamental Fish 06.jpg


One of your koi-owning clients contacts you early one morning and she is very distressed. All nine of her prized koi are dead and floating in the pond. They were apparently normal last night and had good appetites for their evening feeding.

The 2,500-L pond is supplied with city water and has adequate biological and mechanical filtration as well as an aerating fountain. All components are functioning normally but the owner mentions that the person who ‘topped off’ the pond last night with water had inadvertently left the hose running all night (the hose can be seen in the photograph).


Question Answer Article
What is at the top of your differential list? Link to Article
How can you confirm your diagnosis? Link to Article
What are the principles of chlorine toxicity? Link to Article
What other conditions resemble chlorine toxicity? Link to Article
How can such a problem be prevented in the future? Link to Article


Ornamental Fish Q&A 07Next Question.png