Rick Datodi
Rick Datodi was Managing Director of Aquarium Industries Pty Ltd, the largest wholesaler of aquarium fish in Australia and has been involved in the business for more then 40 years. The company operates Australia’s largest live fish quarantine station, employs over 60 people and distributes ornamental fish to every state of Australia. Being responsible for the efficient operation of Australia’s largest ornamental fish quarantine station provided Rick with an enormous opportunity for gaining a thorough knowledge of factors affecting fish health such as tank and filter design, water quality, handling techniques (shipping and receiving), bio-security, diseases, and nutrition.
Although now retired, Rick is still very much involved in aquaculture. He has had a lifetime’s experience in the ornamental fish industry including hands on experience at observing and collecting wild fish in many countries. Still traveling the world, including over fifty trips to South East Asia alone, he continues to further his knowledge of all aspects of aquaculture through his close association with aquaculture veterinarians, collectors, breeders, shippers, wholesalers and retailers.
Rick has spoken at many international conventions and belongs to numerous professional, trade and hobby organizations, both nationally and internationally. He was a foundation member and remained a director of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC Australia) for over 20 years, where he represented the industry in consultations with the government over live fish quarantine and permissible import matters. He was a member of the National Taskforce on Imported Fish and Fish Products (Report Dec. 1996) and was also a member of the working party to the National Task Force. Rick was on the board of Ornamental Fish International (OFI) between 1995 and 2005, and is currently patron of the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association (ANGFA), a position he shares with Dr. Gerald Allen.
THE PRESENTATION
Quarantine measures (bio-security) for fish farms
There are many considerations in aquaculture bio-security but in general we are concerned about unwanted organisms getting into the premises and unwanted organisms escaping from the premises.
Introducing diseased or poor quality brood stock or fingerlings into any grow out situation is inviting disaster. Fish farmers need to source healthy, good quality fish but also need to understand the importance of quarantine, ensuring that new stock is not mixed with healthy, established fish populations. Disease and other unwanted organisms can also be introduced via other sources, including incoming water, contaminated equipment, live foods, and water plants.
Sick fish can usually be recognised by changes in behaviour (particularly by reduced or changed feeding response) but to recognise a change in behaviour one needs to have had enough experience to now what “normal” behaviour is in the first place.
Fish
can become sick for many and varied reasons and need to be protected
from the following c
- - Rough or too much handling.
- - Incorrect water quality factors
- - Incorrect temperature
- - Poor nutrition
Fish
subjected to stress become much more susceptible to disease; therefore
our efforts need to be directed towards minimising stress and protecting
fish from pests and disease c
From an environmental point of view, production species must be prevented from escaping and waste water must be effectively screened, treated or disposed of in compliance with laws.