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The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
Commonly available freshwater fish may include: | commonly maintained families of aquarium fish: Barbs and Danios Betts and Gouramis Catfish and Cichlids Livebearers and Loaches Rainbowfish Tetras tropical and coldwater species. |
Behavioural characteristics may include: | behaviour characteristics can vary according to: the breeding season the species, breed, age and sex of the animals the time of day or night behaviour characteristics associated with different species: activity levels at certain times of day or night feeding and foraging fight or flight social interaction reproductive behaviours the environment being kept within the other marine animals in that environment defensive behaviour: biting defending territory, other fish or food. |
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include: | age, sex, sexual maturity and size body shape and fin modifications eye colour markings, patterns and permanent scars microchip, tattoos and markings skin and scale colours and texture tail and fin shape, size and location. |
Indicators of poor water quality may include: | colour odour unsuitable water chemistry parameters. |
Water quality adjustments may involve: | correcting chemical imbalances partial water change raising or lowering pH or hardness. |
Signs of distressed freshwater fish may include: | aggressive behaviour altered respiration rate any change in normal behaviour, such as swimming patterns discolouration erratic swimming patterns fins clamped against body ill-thrift floating hiding immobility inappetence presence of external disease organisms subdued behaviour. |
Housing design and environmental factors may include: | environmental: aeration rates and supply biological control of waste cleaning routines and methods electrical safety escape proofing drainage and weather protection fundamentals of the biological process general animal housing security heating and lighting filtration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target species housing furniture and compatible plants outdoor predator protection e.g. protection from fish eating birds water flow rates and currents housing design: housing options: aquaria indoor intensive production fish care systems (commonly used in research facilities) outdoor warehousing housing requirements: compatibility of species housed together food distribution security considerations longevity and sturdiness of materials plants, features and substrate materials suitability for specific species species-specific options for animals to hide or rest designs that allow for enrichment activities or species-specific feeding or socialising social options: solitary pairs single sexed groups polyandrous/polygamous groups mixed species. |
Enrichment needs may include: | food or food-related enrichment: creation of currents during feedings creation of feeders such as cone/film canisters with holes for brine shrimp to swim out of feedings at different times of day feedings at different places in tank (if possible) providing opportunities to scavenge, graze and forage for food sinking feeders variations for types and styles of food and activities (e.g. live animal or plant species) physical enrichment: diverse and varied environment for animals to pick their comfortable spot plus open swimming areas as required periodic changes of lighting intensity seasonal change of lighting photoperiod periodic changes to exhibit décor (e.g. changing logs, plants and branches) random addition of novel items (e.g. shells, rocks, leaves and plants) social enrichment: animals of the same species housed with same to encourage species-specific behaviors mixed species exhibits to encourage positive inter-species interactions. |
Welfare of animals requirements may include: | adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations enrichment opportunities the absence of predators, pests and vermin the compatibility of species, breeds and sexes. |
OHS risks when working with animals may include: | animal bites, envenomation, scratches and crush injuries biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal electrical hazards enhanced by the presence of water handling of chemicals and medicines gas leakage inhalation of aerosol particles intraocular contamination manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting needle pricks and cuts from other sharps release of infective agents (animal and human) slippery or uneven work surfaces zoonoses. |
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain freshwater fish may include: | buckets damp towels fish anaesthetics: Aqui-S Clove Oil MS-222 fish traps plastic bags soft gloves soft, knotless hand nets wet sponges. |
Methods used to approach and catch freshwater fish may include: | gradual approach to allow fish to adjust to human presence prior introduction of capture equipment removal of tank furniture and plants use of clear plastic bags to reduce stress. |
Common health issues may include: | behavioural disorders environmental hazards: contamination of the water due to presence of toxins exposure to extremes of water quality exposure to the elements inadequate activity temperature extremes ventilation infectious diseases caused by: bacteria, virus, fungus and protozoa internal and external parasites non-infection diseases: nutritional imbalances and disruptions genetic disorders metabolic neoplastic physical traumas chemical toxicities and allergies zoonotic diseases. |
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: | routine health check-up control of parasites and insects immunisation/vaccinations as required quarantine and isolation routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination routine water quality checks and analysis use of 'aged water' use of prophylactic and therapeutic water treatments. |
Digestive system features may include: | anatomical features: mouth size, shape and location gill rakers, teeth types and locations and teeth structures digestive chemicals and bacteria alimentary canal and stomach, pyloris and liver intestines and cloaca physiological features: eating processes nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods waste elimination feeding patterns and locations potential digestive system malfunctions or problems. |
Feeding hazards may include: | animal movement and handling shelf life of foodstuffs manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources organic and other dusts excessive noise possibility of zoonotic infection. |
Documentation on the care and management of freshwater fish may include: | accident and incident records animal feeding, health and treatment records animal identification and history Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) compliance records, such as: Quarantine Approved Premises (QAP) Tank Charts noxious species chemical and veterinary supplies register diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records equipment use, damage and repair register OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records provisions records of current stock and items used and items required stock control records water chemistry and quality records water change frequencies and amounts. |