Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus

[CACAdmin]

Practical fishkeeping reports that a study of Infectious Spleen and Kidney Necrosis Virus done at South Korea's Pukyong National University has shown the virus to be widespread and although contagous is often asymptomatic.

Article: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/item.php?news=1902

The fact that it infected fish often never show symptoms is the scary part. We can introduce new (apparently healthy) fish into our tanks, and they will continue to appear to be healthy while at the same time other fish in the tank may become ill.

[Melody]

It's nice to see something official - fishkeepers have suspected there was something viral going on for quite some time. I figured it was viral because some fish became immune to it. I could have several populations die off in the same tank (refilled several times with fish from various sources, after supposedly enough time had passed without illness), while the same 4 survived everytime. I also noticed that some species appear immune to many viral infections, or at least resistant. Most of the time they were bottom-dwellers, for some odd reason - Cory's, Loaches, Plecos, etc. That could be because they didn't often 'rub shoulders' with the other fish though.

The sad part is, you can't get that out of the hobby. It's ours now, and it will make it that much harder to find a retail fish that's healthy no matter how hard the owner tries. It didn't stay in Asia for more than a week, guaranteed. Every wholesaler, store, etc., has had fish in from Asia, directly or indirectly, and it's in their tanks. Farms that raise their own fish might have avoided it, but they have to get their breeders from somewhere and it's only a matter of time. Private breeders can try to source their fish from other private breeders, but if that breeder has ever introduced a store fish, there's a chance that virus is there too....

All we can do is use preventative measures to the best of our ability with quarantines & diligent maintenance, along with non-medicinal methods of sterilization, such as UV sterilizers (which is no guarantee, but it can help control the 'waterborn' virus). Get dead fish out of your tanks the second you spot them. If one is missing, do everything you can to find it. You don't want the other fish to munch and catch something.

Shopping responsibly, staying away from known disease factory stores goes a long way. Let management know that you are aware of the issues and problems. Supply information to them like this article because they aren't always aware of the latest issues themselves - nobody can keep up with it all and our community provides the opportunity to stay on top of these things. When it's necessary, let them know that you're not going to purchase from them until they get their tanks cleaned up.

We can build resistance in our fish and that has been my focus for years now. Weak domestic Livebearers sent me in that direction. We need to focus on building immunity through natural antiviral/antibacterial nutrition and responsible breeding practices. That approach is all we have left to fight with.:no:

[ChrissyFishy]

What kind of food makes them immune to a virus? Is it the same as the immune food list you sent me? This is very scary!!!:wideeyed:

[Melody]

Sorry Chris, I'm playing catch-up with posts - busy season!

Anti-viral foods include garlic (fresh crushed or true allicin extracts not exposed to heat), seaweeds (the world's healthiest food), some herbs, Shiitake (and other) Mushrooms, Cauliflower, Carrots, Cabbage family (including Bok Choy), Broccoli, Dandelion, Kohlrabi, Onions, Dill, Cod Liver Oil and seafood (oysters are very high in bioavailable zinc, for example), to name a few. Cook vegies as little as possible for max benefits. Seafood should be cooked but avoid extreme heat (such as the screaming high temp's used to produce commercial fish food).

There's a good list of fruit that is anti-viral, but I try to avoid fruit in the aquarium. A treat or two has been known to happen :wink: but overall they're quite far from a natural food for fish, often acidic, and pollution rates are higher than with most vegies. There's nothing that they offer fish that you can't find in vegetable form, which would have a higher uptake rate as well.

Any food that boosts the immunity will also help prevent infection of any sort and often has anti-viral properties as well, particularly those rich in pentoxifylline, NAC, plant flavonoids, lysine, folic acid, zinc and antioxidant nutrients such as beta carotene, lutein, glutathione, quercetin, vitamin C or vitamin E.