Fish Tb Culture?

Is there any way I can do a fish Tb culture at home with my microscope? Do I take a sample off a dead fish or a sample of the water? TIA.

 

I think the microscope would tell you, yes it looks bacterial (instead of fungal, parasitic, etc), maybe tell you if it's looks like a rod or other shape of bacteria but beyond that you probably need a specific petrI dish culture to identify particular strains.. I'm not a biologist but that's my general understanding. Not sure they sell those petrI dish cultures to general public (at reasonable prices) . Would be nice to have a genome sequencing service where you mail in a sample and they tell you the genetics of whatever was in the biopsy.

 

There are private labs that will do DNA tests for diseases. I have no idea how accurate it is for fish or how to go about getting a proper sample for testing. I just did this for one of my tree frogs, it was $20 a test and they emailed the results the same day they got the package with the swabs.

 

There are private labs that will do DNA tests for diseases. I have no idea how accurate it is for fish or how to go about getting a proper sample for testing. I just did this for one of my tree frogs, it was $20 a test and they emailed the results the same day they got the package with the swabs.

Now I better go find a lab... Maybe my UnI does it.

 

Best of luck

 

You can use a skin swipe or tissue culture. Doing the culture takes weeks to months at a constant 30 degrees Celsius. The unI may be able to use one of the newer techniques. A couple are almost instant. But, unfortunately, you can’t just look in a scope and say yes it’s m.marinum.

 

I am not sure about posting links here? I found the place through a few frog forums, they seem to be well respected. It was all done through the mail.

 

Hi, links are fine as long as they have something to contribute to the discussion

 

Thank you, Coradee!

This is who I used for my frog. They do DNA testing to see if a specific organism is present. I have absolutely no idea what they would need to check for TB in a fish. RAL - Test : Aquatic

I was reading up on culturing, as it is a hard organism to spot even with DNA testing, and culturing it gives larger samples with a better chance of spotting it, but because it is also a human pathogen it takes a biosafety level 2 lab to do so safely. It does not sound like something you want to be messing with at home.

 

Thank you, Coradee!

This is who I used for my frog. They do DNA testing to see if a specific organism is present. I have absolutely no idea what they would need to check for TB in a fish. RAL - Test : Aquatic

I was reading up on culturing, as it is a hard organism to spot even with DNA testing, and culturing it gives larger samples with a better chance of spotting it, but because it is also a human pathogen it takes a biosafety level 2 lab to do so safely. It does not sound like something you want to be messing with at home.

You’re right. And Discus-Tang you’re too young to be messing with it anyway. Familiarity breeds complacency. I’m sorry. Just second nature for me to grab a swab, swipe, tissue sample I forget others haven’t the experience or recklessness to play with Mother Nature.
Thank you Wodesorel.