Water quality and necropsy at TNACI (by Sarah R.)

For our second visit to TNACI (Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute), Kathlina Alford again greeted us and let us know that we would be working on water quality. We got to test the water of the different fish tanks within the propagation facility. 

The properties of water we tested included pH and ammonia levels. It is necessary to test these levels in order to maintain healthy fish. The tanks tested include trout, tilapia and baby sturgeon tanks. If these levels are out of balance, the TNACI scientists have to make adjustments to the tanks. It was neat that we were able to collect the data to help them keep the fish healthy!

Ashley-Rose recorded measurements on the iPad

We also got to dissect some baby sturgeon to discover the cause of death. This helps increase the survival of the other animals in the population. When you are dissecting to discover the cause of death for an animal, it is called a necropsy. 

After dissecting the fish we got to look at a fin clip, as well as a skin and gill sample. A possible reason the fish died is because the sturgeon are not fond of their new food, bloodworms. Just as an infant has to be waned off their mother’s milk, the sturgeon has to be weaned off of brine shrimp. 

Viewing sturgeon gills 

We ended our visit with a quick tour of some of the off-exibit animals that the aquarium has at the facility. We can’t wait to see what Kathlina has in store for us next week!