2019-20 Success Story

Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment, School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Clinical Fish Health Database (using artificial intelligence), July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020

Submitted by Robert Durborow, Ph.D., Assistant Research Director; John Kelso, Extension & Research Assistant; Ashmita Poudel, Extension Associate; Tifani Watson, Graduate Research Assistant; and Tyler McKay, Graduate Research Assistant

Situation

Aquaculturists must maintain the health of their fish and the quality of their water in order to make a profit. There is a need for a fish disease diagnostic laboratory able to diagnose for fish pathogens and water quality problems, and to recommend proper treatment. In addition, clinical data need to be accurately recorded and analyzed. Part of this analysis can involve epidemiology use of a clinical fish health database with the help of learning machine technology (and inclusion of data from several diagnostic labs in the US and worldwide gives greater analytical ability to the learning machine / artificial intelligence).    

Response

During this impact period (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020), 45 fish disease cases and 11 water quality testing cases were performed at the Kentucky State University College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment, School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. In addition, two fish health inspections at the Diagnostic Lab were performed. Of the 45 disease cases diagnosed, 18 were from private growers, 26 were from university researchers, and one was from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. While interacting with Diagnostic Lab clients, the State Extension Specialist for Aquaculture Dr. Robert Durborow (American Fisheries Society Certified Fish Pathologist, #57) and Extension Associate Ashmita Poudel were able to share Best Management Practices with them, helping clients to adopt practices that are economically and environmentally sound as well as safer for the farm owner and his/her family and employees. Also, KSU School of Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences M.S. graduate student Tifani Watson collected Diagnostic Lab data on the Lab’s effectiveness in accurately diagnosing diseases and recommending successful treatments. Graduate student Tyler McKay used laboratory data to build a fish disease diagnostic clinical database and app (with accompanying learning machine technology) for his non-thesis M.S. project.

To facilitate the establishment of an analytical database, Dr. Durborow and his team are working with an i.t. company (Apax, Inc., Lexington, KY) with funding from Dr. Durborow’s USDA Capacity Building Grant (May 2017 – April 2021).

Results/Impact

Accurately diagnosing diseases and recommending appropriate treatments has an approximate value of $3000 per case to private fish producers, so these 18 cases saved the aquaculture industry in Kentucky and surrounding states approximately $54,000.00. The non-private cases helped university researchers to successfully complete their research projects and helped state fish and wildlife agencies to successfully produce sufficient numbers of fish for stocking public waters.

Water quality samples submitted to the Laboratory helped farmers and pond owners know how to treat their bodies of water to maximize fish growth and survival and prevent establishment of aquatic weeds. Using an estimated value of $2000 per water quality case, the 11 cases would have a value of approximately $22,000.00. Additionally, the 2 fish health inspections (which are now routinely required for shipping live fish into many states) would ordinarily cost fish producers about $3000 each, saving Kentucky growers about $6,000.00. Immediate savings to Kentucky residents benefiting from these services (fish disease diagnostics, fish health inspections, and water quality testing) was approximately $82,000.00. Diagnostic and treatment success analysis by KSU M.S. graduate student Tifani Watson is still underway, and a M.S. thesis will be written and published based on her results.

KSU’s work with Apax in establishing the clinical fish health database has been successful, to date, and its completion is expected sometime in 2021. See the following user interface wireframe example that will be usable on computer or handheld smartphone devices:

Input of data from multiple laboratories is the goal of this project. Several domestic labs across the US are collaborating, and several labs in Europe plan to join the effort. Contacts were made with labs in Germany, Spain, Ireland, and Greece at Aquaculture Europe 2019 held in Berlin, Germany in October 2019.

As part of this success story, while the University was closed due to COVID-19, we were still able to extend fish disease diagnostic help to our clients as can be seen from the following correspondence between a client/pond owner in northern Kentucky and me:   

Dr. Durborow,

Hello sir, I hope I am sending this to the right person and I hope I am not “bothering” you!

I have a farm pond in Northwest Grant County near Elliston. While fishing this evening we caught Numerous Perfect Bass. Was very pleased with the progress of our 8 year old pond stocked in its first year by KY F&W.

We caught 1 large Bluegill that was very healthy and good looking except for white “Eggs” on its’ fins. See Picture (bottom of fin). 

Is there need for action?

Thank You,

Richard Gater, 275 Elliston Napoleon Rd, P O Box 486, Dry Ridge, KY, 41035

859 409 2723,    859 428 0357

Dear Rick,

These are larval cysts of yellow grub (scientific name Clinostomum marginatum). When birds, such as great blue herons, eat infected fish, the adult worm develops in the digestive tract of the birds. The birds then defecate or regurgitate the parasites’ eggs into the water where they hatch and travel to infect snails. After they develop in snails for a while, they leave the snails and infect fish. They can also get in the flesh/meat of the fish, so just cook your fish before eating, and you’ll be okay…..no sushi!!

You could try to reduce snail habitat around your pond by keeping aquatic weed growth down. Reducing your bird population is tricky since most aquatic birds are federally protected.

It’s really difficult to not have yellow grub in your fish…probably best just to cook them thoroughly and have a long-term plan to reduce snail habitat and discourage birds from being around your pond. The remedies are involved…making pond banks/edges steep and deep to discourage weed growth and remove comfortable shallow wading areas for the birds, maybe putting lines/wires along the pond edge to obstruct/discourage the birds, as well. Herbicides can be used at times. You can also use scare tactics to keep birds away, but that usually has limited success.

Dr. Durborow, Robert M. Durborow, Ph.D., Professor, Interim Assistant Research Director

College of Ag, Communities & the Environment, State Extension Aquaculture Specialist

School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Kentucky State University, 103 Athletic Road, Frankfort, KY 40601, Mobile Phone: (859) 684-8957, Email: robert.durborow@kysu.edu

May 10, 2020

Dear Dr. Durborow,

I Thank you! I appreciate your quick response and thorough answer! I had heard in the past you were “The Man” when it came to Aquaculture!

I have heard great things about you, your classes and your program! You have supported those reports!

Thank you once again sir!

Rick Gater, Dry Ridge, KY