Animal Science 2-Small Animal
Unit I-Fish, Amphibians, and
Reptiles
Competency 21.00
Summarize the use of fish,
amphibians, and retiles for pets.
Objective 21.01
• Identify the major species of fish,
amphibians, and reptiles used for pets.
Species/Breeds of Fish
• Egg laying fish
–
–
–
–
Koi
Goldfish
Betas
Tetras
– Barbs
– Catfish
– Chinese Algae Eater
Headstanders
Koi
• Member of the goldfish family used in cold
water aquariums
• Prefer water temperatures between 3268˚F
• Moved to outside pools once they reach 5”
in length and may grow to 3’ in a pool of
adequate size
• Occupy all levels of the pool or aquarium
Koi
• Colors range from yellow or orange to
multi-colors of blue, white, and red
Goldfish
• Very popular first fish for many children
• Hardy and easy to keep freshwater fish
that prefers pools or cold water aquariums
• Prefer a temperature range of 32-68˚F
• Can live in various types of water as long
as water is kept clean
Goldfish
Betas
• Freshwater fish that are very aggressive
• Frequently kept alone as a specimen fish
in a species-only aquarium
• Males must never be put in the same
aquarium
• One or two females may be put in a
community aquarium but it may affect
their coloration
• Prefer a temperature range of 80˚F ± 3˚
Betas
Male Beta
Female Beta
Tetras
• Easy to medium care ornamental fish that
prefer soft water that is slightly acidic
• A very sociable fish that does well in
community aquariums
• Average 1 ½-3” in length
• One species is the neon
Tetras
Barbs
• Freshwater fish
•
•
that like water 7377˚ F
Occupy lower
levels and average
2-4” in length
Eat all types of
food
Catfish
• Grown as ornamentals including the
upside-down catfish, glass catfish, and
electric catfish
• Prefer their water temperature to be 7080˚ F
Chinese Algae Eater
• Soaking loach that grows up to 10” long
when the aquarium size permits
• Large, fleshy lips that can cling to
vegetation, rocks or the sides of a glass
aquarium
• Good community fish and feed off algae
• Prefer a water temperature of 70-80˚F
Chinese Algae Eater
Headstanders
• Grow 3-5” long and are known for the way
they position themselves vertically with
their head down while at rest
• Middle to bottom dwellers that are
excellent in community aquariums
• Prefer a temperature of 79˚F
Headstander
Livebearing fish
• Give birth to live young
• Live in shoals or groups of five or more
– Guppies
– Swordtails
– Mollies
– Platys
Guppies
• Most popular
• Varieties only differ in shapes of their fins
and tails
• Prefer water temperatures 68-75˚F
• May average giving birth to 50 young, but
adults may try to eat the young fry
Guppies
Swordtails
• Known for its long
sword-like caudal fin
• Like environment
similar to guppies
• Average 3-4 ¾” long
• Prefer water
temperatures 68-70˚F
Mollies
• Most species are black and differ only in
the size of their fins
• Prefer water temperatures 72-82˚F
• Dwell in large groups or schools
• Have problems with large fins (may grow
so large that swimming is difficult)
Mollies
Platys
• Very popular
• Average only 2 ½” in length
• Prefer water temperature 68-77˚F
Saltwater Breeds
• Live in saltwater and require the addition
of sodium chloride (salt) to create a
marine environment
• Most of these ornamental fish lay eggs
– Angelfish
– Butterfly fish
– Brasslets
– Clown fish
– Sergeant Major
Angelfish
• Some can live in freshwater
• Delicate in appearance, but are very hardy
• Eggs are carried in the parent’s mouth and
placed either in foliage or sand as part of
the incubation process
• Prefer water temperature of 77-86˚F
Angelfish
Butterfly Fish
• Beautiful and very popular marine fish
• Need lots of space because they are
territorial and need to be separated from
other butterfly fish
• Prefer water temperature of 75-82˚F
Butterfly Fish
Brasslets
• Small, popular, colorful fish for marine
aquariums
• Royal gamma is the suggested brasslet for
beginner marine aquarists
• Mix well with other species, but must be
isolated from their own due to aggressive
nature
• Eat a diet of brine shrimp
• Prefer water temperatures 79-82˚F
Clown Fish
• Orange in color with three white bands
encircling the body
• Each white band & fins are edged in black
• Known for their ability to live around the
tentacles of the sea anemone in a
mutually beneficial relationship known as
symbiosis
Clown Fish
Sergeant Major
• Marine fish that
grows to 7” in
length
• Silver-blue in color
with a yellow tinge
on its body and has
seven vertical dark
bands on each side.
Breeds of Amphibians
• Newts
• Salamanders
• Frogs
• Toads
Newts and Salamanders
• Range in size from a few inches to 5’ or
more
• Usually have four legs and long tails
Frogs and Toads
• Differ in that frogs make a croaking noise,
have slender, longer bodies, and moist
skin while toads have a rough skin and dry
appearance
• True frogs include the American Bullfrog
and may grow to 14” long
Frogs and Toads
• American Toad is the common toad in the
eastern United States
• Green Tree Frog is actually a yellow-green
toad with a yellow stripe running from its
lower jaw back along its sides
Species of Reptiles
• Boa constrictors
• Garter snakes
• Green anole
• Skinks
• Savannah Monitor
• Chameleon
Boa Constrictors
• Popular pets
because they adjust
well to captivity and
tame quickly
• May grow 18’ long
• Like to feed on
small animals, birds,
fish, and eggs
Garter Snakes
• Adjust well in
captivity and can be
tamed
• Easily recognized by
stripes running the
length of their body
• May reach 2-3’ in
length
Green Anole
• An iguana that is often
•
•
found in pet stores
Reaches a length of 8”
and feeds on insects
Changes color from
various shades of gray to
brown
Skinks
• Very tame and make excellent pets
• Secretive and do best with leaves to
burrow under
• May reach 2’ in length
Savannah Monitor
• A lizard that can be used as a pet
• May reach sizes up to 6’ or more and
become hard to handle
Common Chameleon
• A true chameleon that reaches about 10”
in length
• Can change their colors rapidly to adapt to
their surroundings
Objective 21.02
• Discuss the physiology of fish,
amphibians, and reptiles.
Terminology
• Ornamental fish– Kept for their appearance (bright colors and
fancy fins)
– Personal appeal to people
– Not usually used for food
Terminology
• Tropical fish
– Popular fish for aquariums that come from the
warmer regions of the world
Terminology
• Marine fish
– Fish that are kept in salt water aquariums
– Often more colorful than freshwater varieties
Terminology
• Freshwater fish
– Fish that are kept in a freshwater tank
– Often the most popular fish for pets
Terminology
• Community fish
– Fish that do well in an aquarium with other
fish species
– Examples include: Tetras, barbs, catfish,
Mollies, Platys, and Swordtails
Terminology
• Species fish
– Do best in an aquarium with fish of the same
species
– Examples: Blind Cave Fish, Piranhas, RedTailed Shark, Schomburgk’s Leaf Fish, Spiny
eels, Killifish (one pair alone in an aquarium),
Betas (alone in an aquarium)
Terminology
• Gonopodium
– Modification of anal fin into a tube-shaped
organ in male live-bearers that provides
passage for sperm packets to enter the
oviduct of the female
Terminology
• Live bearer
– Fish that give birth to live young
– Examples: guppies, Mollies, Platys, and
Swordtails
Terminology
• Egg layers
– Fish that expel eggs from the female to be
fertilized by the male
– Examples: tetras, barbs, catfish, goldfish
Terminology
• Shoals
– Small colonies of fish
– Some species prefer to live in
shoals
• Examples: African refin, catfish,
tetras
Terminology
• Spawning
– The reproduction ritual where eggs are
deposited and fertilized by egg laying species
of fish
Terminology
• Scales
– Thin, bony plates that develop from and are
embedded in dermis
– Overlap each other and provide protection
– Exposed part of the scale is covered with a
thin layer of epidermis that produces a slimy
mucous which protects the fish from water
borne bacteria
Water/Salt Requirements
• Fish must maintain proper levels of salt
and water in their bodies.
• Water flows from areas of weak salt
solution to areas of strong salt solution by
osmosis.
Water/Salt Requirements
• Freshwater fish do not need to drink water
because their body concentration is higher
than the water
• Saltwater fish have a lower concentration
of salt in their bodies than in the water.
Therefore, they must drink water to keep
from dehydrating.
Feeding Habits
• Bottom feeders (dwellers) are fish that
inhabit the lower level of the aquarium
and feed off the bottom.
• Their mouth may be turned down or
underslung and they may have barbs to
help them locate food.
• Example: barbs
Feeding Habits
• Middle feeders (middle-water fish)
primarily occupy the middle layer of the
aquarium and usually have small mouths
that are straight forward because they are
eating feed that is straight in front of
them.
Feeding Habits
• Top feeders usually eat from the surface
and occupy the upper levels of the
aquarium.
• Often, their mouths will be turned upward
and they will have long streamlined bodies
designed for rapid movement to help
them catch insects.
Feeding Habits
• Some fish, like goldfish, do not show a
preference for the level of the aquarium.
Physiology of Respiration
• Fish use organs called gills to breathe.
• Water is drawn through the mouth by
constant opening and closing of the
mouth.
• This forces water into the pharynx and out
through gills.
Physiology of Respiration
• Dissolved oxygen in water is taken into
the blood and CO2 is released into the
water from the gills.
Physiology of Respiration
• A few species of fish come to the surface
and gulp air into their mouth. They are
able to use atmospheric oxygen because
part of their intestines allow for intake of
oxygen. The air is then swallowed into
the digestive system and taken into the
blood.
Physiology of Movement
• Fins-a moveable structure that allow the
fish to swim and maintain balance.
– Most bony fish have rayed fins that consist of
webs of skin supported by bone or cartilage
rods called rays.
– Rays can be sharp, soft, or spiny.
– Fins are very flexible.
Physiology of Movement
• Most fish have at least one fin along their
back (dorsal), one underside near the tail
(anal), and one tail fin (caudal).
– Some have a small fleshy fin located between
the dorsal and caudal called an adipose fin.
– Fish also have a pair of fins located behind
the head called the pectoral and the pelvic
located behind them.
Physiology of Amphibians
• Cold blooded animals that have thin, moist
skin that allows them to breathe through
the skin by osmosis.
• Amphibians usually live in moist
environments, but location usually
depends on their skin thickness.
• Amphibians do not have scales.
Physiology of Amphibians
• Amphibians crush their prey and swallow
it whole because they do not have teeth.
• They also live part of their life in water.
Adult amphibians spend part or all of their
life on land.
Physiology of Reptiles
• Reptiles are cold blooded vertebrates that
have dry, scaly skin and lungs for
breathing.
• Reptiles have bony skeleton scales or
horny plates that cover their body.
• Reptiles include crocodiles, lizards, snakes,
turtles, tortoises, etc.
Physiology of Reptiles
• Some give birth by laying eggs
(oviparous), others retain the eggs in their
body until they hatch and give birth to
young (ovoviviparous), and in others their
young develop in a placental sac and are
born live (viviparous).
Competency 22.00
Establish a healthy habitat for
fish, amphibians, and/or reptiles.
Objective 22.01
• Discuss major health issues related to
aquarium fish, amphibians, and/or
reptiles.
Signs of Disease-Fish
• Strange or unusual behavior.
• Floating to the surface, sinking to the
bottom, or leaning to the side of the
aquarium.
• Fins are unusually laying flat against the
body.
• Rolled or closed caudal fins.
Signs of Disease-Fish
• A fish is off by itself and not swimming
with the school.
• Appears to be in slow motion and not
keeping up with the other fish.
• Breathing seems faster and deeper than
normal.
• Fish is at the surface gasping for air.
Signs of Disease-Fish
• Rubbing or scratching against objects in
the aquarium.
• Not interested in eating.
• Belly appears caved in or unusually thin.
• Belly appears bloated or swollen.
• Color of fish has changed or is unusual.
• Fins appear frayed.
Signs of Disease-Fish
• Back and spinal column appear distorted.
• Eyes are not clear, appear cloudy.
• Scales are sticking out instead of flat
against the body.
• White spots covering body.
• Protruding eyes.
• Anal discharge hanging from the fish.
Parasites in Fish
• White spot (Ich)
– Caused by the parasitic organism
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and causes
numerous white spots on the body and fins of
stressed fish.
– One of the most common diseases found in
aquarium fish.
Parasites in Fish
• Slime disease
– Parasites attack skin of fish causing a large
amount of mucus.
– May cause death if it attacks the gills.
Parasites in Fish
• Hole-in-the-head
– Organism Hexsamita live under skin in muscle
tissue and make tissue break down where
skin opens to make fish appear to have holes.
Parasites in Fish
• Velvet disease
– Organism Oodinium penetrates skin cells and
feed on fish
Parasites in Fish
• White Fungus growth
– White growth around mouth, fins, eye, and
gills.
– A secondary infection is usually present
already.
Parasites in Fish
• Flukes
– Worm-like parasite that attaches to the gills
and body of fish.
Parasites in Fish
• Anchor worms
– Adhere and burrow under scales to attack the
muscles
Parasites in Fish
• Fish lice
– Attach to body of fish and pierce skin to
discharge a poison.
Bacterial Diseases-Fish
• Finrot
– Where the edges of the
fish’s fins start to
appear frayed and
ragged
– Fish lose their color
– Tissue between the fins
breaks down
Bacterial Diseases-Fish
• Mouth fungus
– Caused by a bacteria which a white, tufty
material appears around the mouth and white
patches on the skin.
Bacterial Diseases-Fish
• Neon Disease
– Caused by a parasite Plistophora
hyphessobryconis
– This organism is found in the fish’s body
tissue where it causes the production of
spores which are released when it dies.
Bacterial Diseases-Fish
• Tuberculosis
– Causes by bacteria that invades the organs
and tissues of the body
Bacterial Diseases-Fish
• Pseudomonas and Aeromonas
– Secondary infections in fish that are already
sick
– Fish will have swollen bellies, lesions, or
ulcers.
Treatment of Diseases
• Use of chemicals in the water with the
aquarium being thoroughly cleaned before
fish are returned.
• Some need to be placed in a hospital tank
and treated before returning to normal
tank.
• Most treatments can be found at the local
pet store.
Prevention of Disease
• Environmental Control-avoid problems in
the tank
– Lack of oxygen and overabundance of carbon
dioxide can be readily observed when almost
all of the fish are swimming near the surface
gulping for air.
– Incorrect water pH—causes respiratory
problems and excess mucus production.
Prevention of Disease
• Environmental Control Cont’d
– Chemical filtration ability reduced and
ammonia build up can be observed by cloudy,
murky water
– Gravel filtration system pollution buildup of
iron sulphite can be observed by the black
color on the gravel.
Diseases-Amphibians and Reptiles
• Salmonella is a bacterial disease that can
be transmitted to humans. It affects the
digestive tract and causes watery, green,
foul-smelling diarrhea.
Diseases-Amphibians and Reptiles
• Mouth Rot is a fungal disease associated
with sores or open wounds in the mouth.
Diseases-Amphibians and Reptiles
• Mites and ticks are external parasites that
attack amphibians and reptiles.
• Mites usually go undetected until there is
a heavy infestation.
• Symptoms include: anemia, anorexia,
depression, stress, listlessness, lack of
appetite, and possible death.
Objective 22.02
• Use principles of aquarium, terrarium, and
vivarium management to create a suitable
environment for fish, amphibians, and/or
reptiles.
Purchasing an Aquarium
• Decide on tank type (glass or plastic)
– Plastic is cheaper, but glass is easier to clean.
– Framed tanks are more expensive than all
glass and offer more support to the glass.
Purchasing an Aquarium
• Tank size
– Size depends on the amount you want to
invest and the type (species) of fish.
– Ranges from a simple Beta or goldfish bowl
with a 1 gallon capacity to 10, 30, 50, or
100+ gallons.
– Thickness of glass ranges from ¼” for small
aquariums to 3/8” for larger aquariums.
Purchasing an Aquarium
Stocking Rate for Aquariums
1 inch of fish requires a MINIMUM of:
Tropical fish aquarium 10 in2 of surface area
Cold water aquarium
30 in2 of surface area
Marine aquarium
48 in2 of surface area
Purchasing an Aquarium
• For example:
– An aquarium that is 24” long by 10” wide has
240 in2 of surface area.
– The tank would hold 24” of tropical fish, 8” of
cold water fish, or 5” of marine fish.
– One could have eight swordtails 3” long in a
tropical aquarium, two goldfish 4” long in a
coldwater aquarium, or two Brasslets 2.5”
long in a marine aquarium.
Purchasing an Aquarium
• Shape
– Depends on personal preference and species
of fish you are raising.
– The most common shape is rectangular, but
square, spherical, etc are also common.
Purchasing an Aquarium
• Species
– Type of fish purchasing
– Freshwater vs. saltwater
Aquarium Equipment
• Power filter with an electric motor
• Filtration systems remove uneaten food
materials, dissolved materials, solid waste
and neutralize harmful substances.
Types of Filtration Systems
• Mechanical
– Removal of waste by using various kinds of
filtration devices
– Modern systems use an external filter box
Types of Filtration Systems
• Chemical
– Removal of dissolved material by using a
chemical process
– The use of activated charcoal to soak up
dissolved minerals and chemicals is the most
common chemical removal process.
– Activated charcoal is often part of the filter
system and must be changed at regular
intervals.
Types of Filtration Systems
• Biological
– Use bacteria to feed on toxic substances such
as ammonia excreted from fish during
respiration or as a result of decaying waste
and food material.
– Waste is changed from a harmful substance
to a harmless one (nitrogen)
– Dissolved oxygen in the water is also
replenished.
Aquarium Equipment
• Air Pumps for aeration
– Water is circulated from the bottom of the
tank to the surface where aeration can take
place.
– Compressed air (oxygen) is pumped through
airstones (fused, porous glass) to break the
airflow into minute bubbles.
Aquarium Equipment
• Air Pumps Cont’d
– As the compressed air goes into the water, it
disperses carbon dioxide (aeration)
– Air bubbles rising from the bottom aid in
equalizing the water temperature throughout
and circulating the water to the top where
aeration can take place.
Aquarium Equipment
• Hydrometer
– For measuring salt content
– GFCI electrical outlet preferred
Aquarium Equipment
• Heater/Thermostat
– Needed to maintain
water temperature for
tropical aquariums
– Must be the right size
(approximately 10
watts of power for
each 1 ½ gallons of
water
Aquarium Equipment
• Thermometer
– Liquid crystal
thermometers that are
adhesive strips that stick
to the outside of the
aquarium are popular
Aquarium Equipment
• Other materials
– Water container (for exchanging water)
– Gravel or sand
– Plants
– Decorative stones
– Hood with starter for fluorescent lights
– Dip nets
– Decorative materials
Aquarium Maintenance
• Remove temporary hardness of water by
boiling and allowing to sit prior to its use
in the aquarium
• Eliminate chlorine by aerating it for 12-24
hours prior to use or allowing it to sit for
48 hours so the chlorine will evaporate.
Aquarium Maintenance
• Daily Maintenance
– Check heater, temperature, aeration, and
filtration
– Remove dead fish
– Observe for any unusual behavior
Aquarium Maintenance
• Weekly Maintenance
– Check water level and pH and add water and
chemicals as appropriate
Aquarium Maintenance
• Monthly Maintenance
– 1/4 to 1/5 of the water needs to be changed
every three to four weeks to provide fish a
stress free environment and prolong the life
of the filters
– Siphon off any dead material from bottom of
the aquarium.
– Tend to plants and remove algae.
Aquarium Maintenance
• Factors that contribute to increased
ammonia and nitrates in the tank
– Increase in waste material and uneaten food
on the bottom (Don’t overfeed)
– Dirty filters and failure to change water
monthly
– Overpopulation of fish
Feeding Fish
• Vary feed to prevent boredom—fish really
like live food, but freeze-dried and frozen
food is a good alternative
• Feed fish 2 to 3 times per day
• Feed only enough for the fish to eat in 3-5
minutes.
• Live foods like brine shrimp, earthworms,
wood lice, and worms are treats to fish.
Feeding Fish
• Commercially prepared flake foods are
ideal for small fish up to 4-5” long.
Vitamins and nutrients are provided in
amounts needed by the fish.
• Commercially prepared pellets work well
for larger fish. The type depends on the
eating habit of the fish being kept.
Reptile and Amphibian Habitats
• Vast differences between species, but the
goal should always be to duplicate the
natural environment of the pet.
• Aquariums usually make the best
containers.
• Semi-aquatic aquariums may be made by
using plexi-glass to partition the aquarium
in half
Reptile and Amphibian Habitats
• Vivariums should be designed to give the
reptile an environment close to its actual
habitat.
• Reptiles are ectotherms. They do not
generate body heat and must rely
completely on the temperature of their
environement.
Reptile and Amphibian Habitats
• Reptiles need ultraviolet (UV) rays for
calcium metabolism, formation of pigment,
and vitamin D synthesis.
– Reptiles need sunlight.
– Fluorescent lights will provide UV rays as long
as there is not glass between the light and
the reptile. Glass filters the UV rays out.