A review of polymerbased water conditioners for r

Authors: Ryan A Harnish Alison H Colotelo Richard S Brown

Publish Date: 2010/12/31

Volume: 21, Issue: 1, Pages: 43-49

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Abstract

Fish are coated with an external layer of protective mucus This layer serves as the primary barrier against infection or injury reduces friction and plays a role in ionic and osmotic regulation However the mucus layer is easily disturbed when fish are netted handled transported stressed or subjected to adverse water conditions Water additives containing polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP or proprietary polymers have been used to prevent the deleterious effects of mucus layer disturbances in the commercial tropical fish industry aquaculture and for other fisheries management purposes This paper reviews research on the effectiveness of water conditioners and examines the contents and uses of a wide variety of commercially available water conditioners Water conditioners containing polymers may reduce external damage to fish held in containers during scientific experimentation including surgical implantation of electronic tags However there is a need to empirically test the effectiveness of water conditioners at preventing damage to and promoting healing of the mucus layer A research agenda is provided to advance the science related to the use of water conditions to improve the condition of fish during handling and taggingThis research was funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers Portland District Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the US Department of Energy under Contract DEAC0576RL01830 With appreciation we acknowledge the technical contributions of James Boyd Andrea Currie Jill Janak and Andrea LeBarge from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory We also appreciate comments from Steven Cooke of Carleton University and Glenn Wagner of EDI Environmental Dynamics

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