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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 marine aquatic invertebrates may include: | crabs, lobsters and crayfishcuttlefishoctopus and squidprawns and shrimpsea anemones, cucumbers and snailssea stars and starfish. |
Behavioural characteristics may include: | behaviour characteristics can vary according to:the family, developmental stage and sex of the animalsthe time of day or nightbehaviour characteristics associated with different species:activity levels at certain times of day or nightfeeding behavioursfight or flightsocial interactionreproductive behavioursthe other marine animals in that environmentdefensive behaviour:defending territory, other animals or foodhiding or retreating. |
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include: | developmental stage, sex and sizeskin or shell colours and texturemarkings and patternstags. |
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 or salinity. |
Indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour may be identified by: | daily observation and visual examination is the best way to establish the appearance of a healthy invertebrate and at the same time allows detection of changes from normal. These observations will include:posture and attitudeactivity levelresponse to stimuli including handlingassessment of body conditionassessment of state of hydrationappetite and dietary historypresence of external organisms. |
Housing design and environmental factors may include: | environmental:aeration rates and supplybiological control of wastecleaning routines and methodselectrical safetyescape proofingday/night cycle lightingfiltration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target specieshousing furniture and compatible plantslighting, ventilation, temperature, heating and cooling requirementswater flows and currentshousing requirements:compatibility of species housed togetherfood distributionlocation and security considerationslongevity and sturdiness of materialsmaintains ambient temperature conditions for the specific speciesprovides continuous access to water free of ammonia or chlorineprovides generous ventilation and is safe from fumes and vapours:insecticidescleaning agentsrequired floor area, vertical and/or horizontal space for specific speciessuitability for specific speciesspecies-specific options for animals to hide or restsubstrate appropriate to the specific speciesdesigns that allow for species-specific activity, feeding or socialisingsocial options:solitarypairssingle sexed groupspolyandrous/polygynous groupsmixed species. |
Enrichment needs may include: | food or food-related enrichmentphysical enrichment items:plants and foliageretreatsrocks or artificial rockssocial enrichment:levels of contact with other animals of the same speciesmixed species exhibits to encourage positive inter-species interactions. |
Welfare of animals requirements may include: | adequate housing, nutrition and stock levelscompliance to appropriate/relevant state or territory legislation and regulationsenrichment opportunitiesthe absence of predators, pests and verminthe compatibility of species and breeds. |
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 to catch and handle invertebrate may include: | equipment:isolation tanksplastic bagssoft glovessoft, knotless hand netstrapshandling of invertebrates should always be minimised to ensure the invertebrate is not stressed or accidentally injured. |
Common health issues may include: | environmental hazards:contamination of the water due to presence of toxinsexposures of 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 disruptionsmetabolicneoplasticphysical traumaschemical toxicities and allergieszoonotic diseases. |
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include: | routine health check-upcontrol of parasitestemperature, heat and light requirements for specific speciesquarantine and isolation proceduresroutine observation of waste eliminationwater quality. |
Digestive system features may include: | anatomical features relevant to the specific speciesphysiological features:eating processesnutrient requirements, absorption and storage methodswaste eliminationfeeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for the speciespotential digestive system malfunctions or problemswater needs. |
Food source considerations include: | captive diets must be similar to the natural diet of the species to:minimise the impact of captivitystimulate normal digestive functionmaximise development of natural survival techniquesfood sources will vary widely subject to the specific species. |
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 dustspossibility of zoonotic infection. |
Documentation on the care and management of marine aquatic invertebrates may include: | accident and incident recordschemical and veterinary supplies registerdetailed and accurate records for each animal (or group of animals):species and sex of animalidentification and historyfeeding, health and treatment recordsdiary, 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. |