When a fish is recovering from a disease, malnutrition, poor water quality, injury or any ailment, it is a good idea to give the fish a boost to its immune system. This group of additives are properly known as immune-stimulants. The reader should understand what is known and unknown about these chemicals. This leads to a proper definition of what is an immune-stimulant:
Immune-stimulant: a substance that activates white blood cells (leukocytes).
Seems reasonable, BUT that 'activation' was witnessed only during in vitro studies. That is, the 'activation' was observed in a test tube and not inside a living creature. Thus a true immune-stimulant can be found in the lab, but that chemical substance could be a poison to the animal. Is this clear?
It takes a lot of study and careful testing to verify that an immune-stimulant works inside of a living organism/animal.
Most aquarists don't realize that the fish coating (some call it a mucous, others a slime) contains bactericide and antibodies to pathogens as well as resisters to opportunistic organisms (e.g., fungus and molds). They may not also know that a fish under stress will lose a part or all of this coating. Another interesting fact is that while under stress, the fish internally releases hormones (e.g., corticosteroids and catecholamines) which actually suppress the immune system. This makes the fish quite defenseless at times of stress, thus leading to a variety of conditions secondary to the primary stressor.
In future posts on Reef Frontiers, I'll refer to this post for things an aquarist can do to boost the sick/injured marine fish's immune system. It should be noted that some of these boosters should not become a routine additive to foods. They are something intended for use only when conditions indicate they are needed. Most information seems to point to the fish getting used to these boosters to the point the booster may have no or little affect. So, use these guidelines only on special occasions when needed.
BETA GLUCAN
I use this for all recovering fish. I use it only for about 2-3 weeks maximum. From what we know about beta glucan, it must not be used on a continuous basis. If it is used on a continuous basis, it will loose its effectiveness. So use this only when needed then stop using it! It is easy to administer. It is added to the fish food. You estimate the weight of the fish; you estimate the amount of food it eats; then you make sure the fish eats the proper dose. What you add is 25mg/kg of fish. This isn't very much! Beta glucan is found in human health food stores. However, you're looking for a specific 'structure' or kind of Beta Glucan. Buy: Beta 1,3 glucan made from the cell wall of Baker's yeast (Saccharomyce cerevisiae).
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C has been shown to provide the fish with an improved immune response. It is a vitamin that should be provided in a general vitamin and fat supplement regime (See: Fish Health Through Proper Nutrition). Adding extra quantities of stabilized Vitamin C to the food, during a fish's recovery, will aid in a speedy recovery.
LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE and LEVAMISOLE
Although not readily available to the public under these names, the lipids come in fat additives. Thus, during recovery fat and vitamin supplements need to be increased. That is why in the above referenced post, my recommendation of how often to provide fat and vitamin supplements vary with the condition of the fish (recovering fish = more fat and vitamin supplements). Levamisole is a drug used for the cure of fishes with worms. Although it is also an immune booster, levamisole is not essential to find or administer during the time a fish is recovering. I would not recommend its use as an immune booster.
OTHERS
Mannan oligosaccharides have been investigated recently and show promise at boosting the immune system of the fish and providing some anti-microbial defense. This work is not as advanced as that for Beta Glucan and actual doses haven't been proposed for marine ornamentals. Most of this work is done on (human foods) marine shrimp and freshwater fish. This is typically derived from yeast and other plant products, including algae.
Peptidoglycans (also known as mureins) has been minimally investigated. It is found in a layer on most Gram Positive Bacteria (on Gram Negative Bacteria too, but much less). In fact, it is penicillin that interferes with this complexed sugar and peptide molecule that helps destroy bacterial infections in humans. The peptidoglycan coats single cell bacteria and is a barrier to pathogen attack.
The toxicity of the two above chemicals is not well known when it comes to ornamental marine fishes, so although they have demonstrated immune stimulation (see above definition), they likely react differently when administered and may be a source of irritation to outright poison.
Most vitamins and enzymes facilitate the recovery, repair and replacement of damaged, injured, and/or disease cells. To not mention their need would be a big mistake. If it isn't clear from the writing above, then all sick fish, fish recovering, and fish needing help need fat and vitamin supplements more frequently than healthy fish do. This is one of the two essential requirements for a good recovery. The second essential is proper and sufficient nutrition. A fish can only recover when the proper kinds and amounts of nutrients are being provided. Foods, feeding, and supplements of fats and vitamins are found here: Fish Health Through Proper Nutrition
WHAT DOESN'T WORK :evil:
I can't begin to say how many times I've told people these rumors and myths are false:
Garlic. It does nothing to improve a marine fish's immune response or immunity. It was a rumor began by people who can't read the bad technical experiment conducted by Colorni et al. Please don't spread this rumor.
Ginger. Not sure who started this one. Ginger has provides a fish with no improvement in immunity nor immune response. Don't spread this rumor either, please.
Post if you have questions or wish to comment.
Immune-stimulant: a substance that activates white blood cells (leukocytes).
Seems reasonable, BUT that 'activation' was witnessed only during in vitro studies. That is, the 'activation' was observed in a test tube and not inside a living creature. Thus a true immune-stimulant can be found in the lab, but that chemical substance could be a poison to the animal. Is this clear?
It takes a lot of study and careful testing to verify that an immune-stimulant works inside of a living organism/animal.
Most aquarists don't realize that the fish coating (some call it a mucous, others a slime) contains bactericide and antibodies to pathogens as well as resisters to opportunistic organisms (e.g., fungus and molds). They may not also know that a fish under stress will lose a part or all of this coating. Another interesting fact is that while under stress, the fish internally releases hormones (e.g., corticosteroids and catecholamines) which actually suppress the immune system. This makes the fish quite defenseless at times of stress, thus leading to a variety of conditions secondary to the primary stressor.
In future posts on Reef Frontiers, I'll refer to this post for things an aquarist can do to boost the sick/injured marine fish's immune system. It should be noted that some of these boosters should not become a routine additive to foods. They are something intended for use only when conditions indicate they are needed. Most information seems to point to the fish getting used to these boosters to the point the booster may have no or little affect. So, use these guidelines only on special occasions when needed.
BETA GLUCAN
I use this for all recovering fish. I use it only for about 2-3 weeks maximum. From what we know about beta glucan, it must not be used on a continuous basis. If it is used on a continuous basis, it will loose its effectiveness. So use this only when needed then stop using it! It is easy to administer. It is added to the fish food. You estimate the weight of the fish; you estimate the amount of food it eats; then you make sure the fish eats the proper dose. What you add is 25mg/kg of fish. This isn't very much! Beta glucan is found in human health food stores. However, you're looking for a specific 'structure' or kind of Beta Glucan. Buy: Beta 1,3 glucan made from the cell wall of Baker's yeast (Saccharomyce cerevisiae).
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C has been shown to provide the fish with an improved immune response. It is a vitamin that should be provided in a general vitamin and fat supplement regime (See: Fish Health Through Proper Nutrition). Adding extra quantities of stabilized Vitamin C to the food, during a fish's recovery, will aid in a speedy recovery.
LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE and LEVAMISOLE
Although not readily available to the public under these names, the lipids come in fat additives. Thus, during recovery fat and vitamin supplements need to be increased. That is why in the above referenced post, my recommendation of how often to provide fat and vitamin supplements vary with the condition of the fish (recovering fish = more fat and vitamin supplements). Levamisole is a drug used for the cure of fishes with worms. Although it is also an immune booster, levamisole is not essential to find or administer during the time a fish is recovering. I would not recommend its use as an immune booster.
OTHERS
Mannan oligosaccharides have been investigated recently and show promise at boosting the immune system of the fish and providing some anti-microbial defense. This work is not as advanced as that for Beta Glucan and actual doses haven't been proposed for marine ornamentals. Most of this work is done on (human foods) marine shrimp and freshwater fish. This is typically derived from yeast and other plant products, including algae.
Peptidoglycans (also known as mureins) has been minimally investigated. It is found in a layer on most Gram Positive Bacteria (on Gram Negative Bacteria too, but much less). In fact, it is penicillin that interferes with this complexed sugar and peptide molecule that helps destroy bacterial infections in humans. The peptidoglycan coats single cell bacteria and is a barrier to pathogen attack.
The toxicity of the two above chemicals is not well known when it comes to ornamental marine fishes, so although they have demonstrated immune stimulation (see above definition), they likely react differently when administered and may be a source of irritation to outright poison.
Most vitamins and enzymes facilitate the recovery, repair and replacement of damaged, injured, and/or disease cells. To not mention their need would be a big mistake. If it isn't clear from the writing above, then all sick fish, fish recovering, and fish needing help need fat and vitamin supplements more frequently than healthy fish do. This is one of the two essential requirements for a good recovery. The second essential is proper and sufficient nutrition. A fish can only recover when the proper kinds and amounts of nutrients are being provided. Foods, feeding, and supplements of fats and vitamins are found here: Fish Health Through Proper Nutrition
WHAT DOESN'T WORK :evil:
I can't begin to say how many times I've told people these rumors and myths are false:
Garlic. It does nothing to improve a marine fish's immune response or immunity. It was a rumor began by people who can't read the bad technical experiment conducted by Colorni et al. Please don't spread this rumor.
Ginger. Not sure who started this one. Ginger has provides a fish with no improvement in immunity nor immune response. Don't spread this rumor either, please.
Post if you have questions or wish to comment.
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