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Aquaculture

In addition to the biologic interest associated with fish and their use as pets, the need for understanding fish and their diseases is of importance from the standpoint of fish as a source of food. With a food conversion ratio of less than 2:1 (protein consumed:protein produced), cultured food fish are the most efficient of all food animals.

With the expanding worldwide human population, it is predicted that aquaculture, including the cultivation of fish in ponds and other aquatic enclosures, will be the major source of animal protein in the future. Since world fishery resources in the natural environment are generally in decline, there is increased interest in aquaculture. This provides an opportunity for veterinary interaction and assistance to increase the efficiency of this developing industry.

Categories of Fish

For our study, we will divide fish into the following categories:

A. Fish existing in natural environments.

Marine and freshwater food and game fish.

B. Fish maintained in enclosures or ponds.

This aquaculture associated with human food production is the fastest growing segment of animal agriculture in the U.S. and worldwide.

C. Fish utilized in pharmacological research.

In view of the similar basic biology of fish to other vertebrates. There is rapidly increasing use of them (including transgenic fish) in research. Fish models offer several distinct advantages over other laboratory animals such as mice. They produce large numbers of offspring more quickly, and the vast variety of fish species available enables enhanced comparison studies. Sequencing the zebrafish genome is enabling analysis of thousands of genes as development occurs or in response to toxins. There is potential application to the areas of genomics and proteomics as well.

D. Fish maintained in aquaria.

This includes the vast number of private aquara as well as those used for display at zoos.

In beginning your study, you should be aware that fish are typical vertebrates in many respects and most of the basic concepts you have learned about mammalian biology can also be applied to the understanding of fish and their diseases. Many special features have evolved for function in aquatic environment. These include scales, fins, and streamlined body contour to minimize friction to movement. Due to the buoyancy of water, aquatic animals such as fish have not had to evolve strong skeletons to counteract the effects of gravity, in contrast to terrestrial animals.