Administering fish anaesthetic (MS-222).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A fine needle aspirate is performed to sample an abnormal abdominal mass.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Goldfish with an ulcerated lump at the caudal attachment of the dorsal fin. It is being induced with Aqui-S, a registered fish anaesthetic.
 
 

An underwater "band-aid" is being applied on the wound after the lump has been debulked.
 
 

This large goldfish is under careful watch by the anaesthetist as it recovers from anaesthesia.
 
 
 
 

Goldfish affected by Carp Pox causing epithelial hyperplasia (excessive skin growth). This goldfish is blind in the left eye and has secondary ulceration predisposing it to bacterial diseases.

A surgical procedure termed Eye Enucleation was performed by Dr Richmond Loh to prevent further ulceration.
 
 

People often ask how the fish would be able to see now that the eye has been removed.
 

Fish have a sixth sense - their lateral line - to pick up vibrations in the water. In fact some fish are absolutely blind by nature - the Blind Cave Fish. Most fish will cope quite well if the occasion arises that an eye requires removing, provided it can still eat.
 
 

This fish was already blind in the affected eye and was coping quite well. However, because it was such a large mass that was constantly being rubbed against the sides of the pond, it would have suffered a much more horrible fate - chronic pain, secondary bacterial infections, osmoregulatory stress.
 
 
 
 

Some fish get gas bubbles in their eye and this condition is termed exopthalmia (or 'Pop-eye'). This can be due to several causes. A complete history and clinical work-up is required to identify the cause.

Again, goldfish affected by Carp Pox. Note large lesion on the right operculum (gill cover).

The fish was first anaesthetised and then laid out on a moistened soft sponge V-tray. The lesion was then resected.

The goldfish post-operation.
 
 
 
 

An 8 year old goldfish unable to control its buoyancy continuously floats tail up. This condition is not only stressful to the fish, it also puts them at increased risk of predation if reared in an outdoor pond where birds may visit.

The fish was first anaesthetised with Aqui-S. Approximately 10mL of air was aspirated from the caudal swim bladder and the fish returned to the aquarium. It recovered uneventfully and does not float on the surface anymore (it can be seen lying on its side).

This is an X-ray of the fish post-aspiration of the air. Note that the swim bladder is composed of a cranial and a caudal sacs. This fish is also gravid (it is nearing spawning time). Lateral radiograph taken at 30kV and 5.4 mAs.