Once appropriately restrained, either physically or chemically with
parenteral or immersion-type agents, the fish is quite amenable to
endoscopic examination.
Laparoscopy is relatively easily performed following gaseous insufflation
of the coelomic cavity. The rigid endoscope is also ideally suited
for examination of the gill filaments and oral cavity of most fishes.
Indications for piscine endoscopy:
- collection of diagnostic specimens such as organ biopsies, brush
cytology, and microbiologic specimens
- therapeutic procedures, such as parasite removal
- identification of sex and reproductive status
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Ventral approach to endoscopy in a fish. The anesthetic laden water
is pumped over the gills through the oral cavity. The Varess needle
for gaseous insufflation enters the coelomic cavity just caudal
to the pelvic girdle. The endoscope enters cranial to the vent,
lateral to the midline. Aseptic technique is utilized.
View of the gill rakers as seen from the oral cavity in the wolf
eel, Anarrhichthys ocellatus. The translucent pharyngeal
teeth are visible on the prominence located in the left upper aspect
of the photograph, the gill chamber noted in the right upper quadrant.
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