AHL undertakes testing of aquatic animals from both freshwater and seawater. Please notify the laboratory prior to sending whole animals for necropsy.
Field Sampling - Finfish
Fix tissues in 10% buffered formalin, at a minimum ratio of 1:10 tissue to fixative;
Detailed guidance on field sampling can be found in
Guidelines and Procedures Manual for Field Sampling of Fish for Disease Investigation and Health Monitoring (PDF 489Kb)
All samples must be accompanied by an
Aquatic Animal Submission Form (PDF 188Kb)
Please ensure to record the property PIC number and, if appropriate, the lease number.
Laboratory Examination
Finfish
select moribund animals;
immediately pack on crushed ice and send without delay; (fish should arrive the same day as they are sent; the interval between collection and arrival should not exceed 24 hours);
small fish, 1-10 g in size, can be submitted live in plastic bags containing water and sealed under oxygen. Fish submitted this way should be kept cool and arrive the same day as collection;
provide a clear history including site or lease number, water quality, vaccination status, signs of disease and stressors.
Molluscs or crustaceans
submit in an insulated box;
multiple ice-bricks should be placed around the samples and dispatch immediately;
animals should arrive at AHL within 24 hours.
provide a clear history including lease number, growing conditions (e.g. sub-tidal or intertidal), salinity, temperature etc.
Larval materials/spat