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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 DaniosBetts and GouramisCatfish and CichlidsLivebearers and LoachesRainbowfishTetrastropical and coldwater species. |
Behavioural characteristics may include: | behaviour characteristics can vary according to:the breeding seasonthe species, breed, age and sex of the animalsthe time of day or nightbehaviour characteristics associated with different species:activity levels at certain times of day or nightfeeding and foragingfight or flightsocial interactionreproductive behavioursthe environment being kept withinthe other marine animals in that environmentdefensive behaviour:bitingdefending territory, other fish or food. |
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include: | age, sex, sexual maturity and sizebody shape and fin modificationseye colourmarkings, patterns and permanent scars microchip, tattoos and markingsskin and scale colours and texturetail and fin shape, size and location. |
Indicators of poor water quality may include: | colourodourunsuitable water chemistry parameters. |
Water quality adjustments may involve: | correcting chemical imbalancespartial water changeraising or lowering pH or hardness. |
Signs of distressed freshwater fish may include: | aggressive behaviouraltered respiration rateany change in normal behaviour, such as swimming patternsdiscolourationerratic swimming patternsfins clamped against bodyill-thriftfloatinghidingimmobilityinappetencepresence of external disease organismssubdued behaviour. |
Housing design and environmental factors may include: | environmental:aeration rates and supplybiological control of wastecleaning routines and methodselectrical safetyescape proofingdrainage and weather protectionfundamentals of the biological processgeneral animal housing securityheating and lightingfiltration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target specieshousing furniture and compatible plantsoutdoor predator protection e.g. protection from fish eating birdswater flow rates and currentshousing design:housing options:aquariaindoorintensive production fish care systems (commonly used in research facilities)outdoor warehousinghousing requirements:compatibility of species housed togetherfood distributionsecurity considerationslongevity and sturdiness of materialsplants, features and substrate materialssuitability for specific speciesspecies-specific options for animals to hide or restdesigns that allow for enrichment activities or species-specific feeding or socialisingsocial options:solitarypairssingle sexed groupspolyandrous/polygamous groupsmixed 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 offeedings at different times of day feedings at different places in tank (if possible)providing opportunities to scavenge, graze and forage for foodsinking feedersvariations 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 requiredperiodic 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 levelscompliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulationsenrichment opportunitiesthe absence of predators, pests and verminthe compatibility of species, breeds and sexes. |
OHS risks when working with animals may include: | animal bites, envenomation, scratches and crush injuriesbiological hazardous waste and sharps disposalelectrical hazards enhanced by the presence of waterhandling of chemicals and medicinesgas leakageinhalation of aerosol particlesintraocular contaminationmanual handling, including carrying, lifting and shiftingneedle pricks and cuts from other sharpsrelease of infective agents (animal and human)slippery or uneven work surfaceszoonoses. |
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain freshwater fish may include: | bucketsdamp towelsfish anaesthetics:Aqui-SClove OilMS-222fish trapsplastic bagssoft glovessoft, knotless hand netswet sponges. |
Methods used to approach and catch freshwater fish may include: | gradual approach to allow fish to adjust to human presenceprior introduction of capture equipmentremoval of tank furniture and plantsuse of clear plastic bags to reduce stress. |
Common health issues may include: | behavioural disordersenvironmental hazards:contamination of the water due to presence of toxinsexposure to extremes of water qualityexposure to the elementsinadequate activitytemperature extremesventilationinfectious diseases caused by:bacteria, virus, fungus and protozoainternal and external parasitesnon-infection diseases:nutritional imbalances and disruptionsgenetic disordersmetabolicneoplasticphysical traumaschemical toxicities and allergieszoonotic diseases. |
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: | routine health check-upcontrol of parasites and insectsimmunisation/vaccinations as requiredquarantine and isolationroutine observation of waste elimination and faecal examinationroutine water quality checks and analysisuse of 'aged water'use of prophylactic and therapeutic water treatments. |
Digestive system features may include: | anatomical features:mouth size, shape and locationgill rakers, teeth types and locations and teeth structuresdigestive chemicals and bacteriaalimentary canal and stomach, pyloris and liverintestines and cloacaphysiological features:eating processesnutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods waste eliminationfeeding patterns and locationspotential digestive system malfunctions or problems. |
Feeding hazards may include: | animal movement and handlingshelf life of foodstuffsmanual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipmentcontamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sourcesorganic and other dustsexcessive noisepossibility of zoonotic infection. |
Documentation on the care and management of freshwater fish may include: | accident and incident recordsanimal feeding, health and treatment recordsanimal identification and historyAustralian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) compliance records, such as:Quarantine Approved Premises (QAP) Tank Chartsnoxious specieschemical and veterinary supplies registerdiary, rosters and task completion and timeframe recordsequipment use, damage and repair registerOHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other recordsprovisions records of current stock and items used and items requiredstock control recordswater chemistry and quality recordswater change frequencies and amounts. |