VPP 322: Aquatic Animal Diseases, Health Care and Management (1+1)

TOO HIGH (TOO ALKALINE) pH

• Alkaline pH stress is much less common than acid stress because, most closed culture systems tend to decrease in pH overtime. Acids are much more common environmental contaminants than alkalis.

Diagnosis

• As pH increases, cells in the gill and muscles, epithelial cells become hypertrophic. These clinical signs are non-specific.

Treatment of too high pH

• Aquaria: Add buffer, add deionized water, add peat, mechanically remove excess plants
• Ponds: Add buffer (low alkalinity ponds), add calcium (high alkalinity ponds), add alum (high alkalinity ponds), treat algae with herbicides