Quote:
Originally Posted by Anselth  Scott, did you examine any of the other organs under the 'scope? As terrible as it sounds, increasing study on this would probably require the dissection of a baseline individual, one that is completely healthy, to note any changes to the internal physiology. If you need any help let me know, my collegiate background is in Marine Bio, and this would definitely be something I would like to help out with. |
Adam, I didn't examine the other organs. I was mainly looking for parasites within the digestive track and stumbled upon the crystalline entities.
I realize that a baseline dissection on a healthy specimen is needed, but I just can not bring myself to taking the life of one of these beautiful creatures, even for the sake of science. I have a love/hate relationship with laboratory testing on animals. On one hand I recognize the contributions animals have made to medicine and science, but on the other hand it breaks my heart to see or imagine their suffering. I'm not a research scientist, just a hobbyist interested in the science. I hope to get a scientist interested in researching this species.
Your background qualifies you to accept a project like this and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Wonderloss, I don't know what kind of substrate was in the tank at the time of this BS death. For all I know these crystalline entities could be normal and aid in digestion.
DavidP, I was thinking Nematoda or Annelida, but really have no idea.
CAVINCA, I am not use to working without an assistant so when I'm doing this at home, my instruments are all over the place. Assistants are always a good thing!
Nikki, these are all excellent ideas and thought provoking. They are all areas that need to be examined. Internal parasites are generally highly specialized organism that are well suited for living within a host either intermediately or indefinitely until the host dies. They gain access in may different ways. Sometimes through the skin, sometimes through the mouth etc.
I agree that the change in skin coloration needs to be examined as well. However, many species of fish can change chromatophores in their skin based on mood, sexual activity, defense etc. I think the white spots are a part of a normal response in this species. Both of my BS have shown these white spots from time to time without any untoward effects. They come and go.
Here is a light microscope picture, I took, of a scale of the donated BSJF. You can see the chromatophores in the skin that is attached (the starlike structures). Can anyone tell how old this specimen was?
Also, there is no such thing as BSJF disease, it is a made-up term and has no basis in science. However, this specimen did present with similar symptoms before death that so many other BSJF have died from. Whether they are related has yet to be discovered.
Everyone else that have posted here, thanks for your input and thoughts. This is how we will get to the bottom of this, with everyones input. I always said this will be the biggest on-line research project, ever!
Keep the ideas and thoughts coming!