Fish Quiz

[TwoTankAmin]

OK, I am going to re-ask an earlier question since the answer accepted was not correct.
 
"How does salt work as a treatment for excess nitrite?"
 
It does not reduce the toxicity of nitrite.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The chloride blocks the uptake of nitrite from the water into the blood of the fish, by being taken in through the gills instead.  The nitrite would decrease the blood's ability to carry oxygen - as nitrite reacts with the hemoglobin producing methemoglobin (which is brown - hence the name "Brown Blood Syndrome").
 
 
https/www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/1998/spring/nitrate.shtml
 
 
 

The chloride ion competes with the nitrite ion at the gills. When the chloride ion is present at least three times and not more than six times the level of the nitrite ion, it is preferentially transported across the gills. Thus transport of the nitrite ion is reduced.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Good answer eagle. The chloride in the salt prevents nitrite from entering the fish. It does nothing to reduce the effect of nitrite which is already inside. I believe I have seen research indicating that methylene blue is one of the the few things that can be used to reverse the effect of nitrite induced "brown blood."

 

[WILDER]

Sorry my mistake I do apologise.
Carry on with sound information. It helps us learn.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Sorry my mistake I do apologise.
Carry on with sound information. It helps us learn.

 
Your answer was an oversimplification.  IF the salt is added before the nitrite starts to build up, it does indeed reduce the toxicity (provided it is in sufficient quantity, as described in the article above).   But, TTA correctly points out that it will only stop nitrite from entering, it does nothing to reduce what is already there.   The reduction of what is already there requires time (or as pointed out, possibly some medication, such as methylene blue) for the fish to work the nitrite out on their own, and eventually get back to where they need to be in terms of the fish's blood carrying the appropriate amount of oxygen.
 
 
 
 
 
New question:
Species from the current genus mikrogeophagus (which consists of only 2 known species) was originally described under what other genus name?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I think you are looking at one of the following names used earlier: Apistogramma ramirezi, Microgeophagus ramirezi or Papiliochromis ramirezi.
 
Microgeophagus is now spelled with a K.
 
And eagle, the amount of salt, and thus chloride, that must be added can only be determined after the Nitrite level is tested so the appropriate level of chloride to add is determined. So I would still maintain it does not detoxify nitrite. But this is mostly moot because about the only time one would run into this issue is when cycling with fish. One has to crash the filter or grossly overload an established tank to produce nitrite. It is much more common in aquaculture where fish densities are often quite high and may overwhelm the biological filter.
 
In terms of nitrite and chloride and how it works, we have an article here on the site that explains it (it is very well written, too

):

The chloride in the salt acts to” block” the ability of nitrite to enter though the gills of the fish and thus to cause the harm inside the fish it might. .......
 
 One should also be aware that studies indicate that, whether one changes water or uses chloride to counter the effects of nitrite toxicity, it will still take between 24-72 hours for nitrite already inside fish to be completely eliminated. Preventing further nitrite from entering usually solves the problem.

from http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/433778-rescuing-a-fish-in-cycle-gone-wild-part-il/
 
 
However, most folks here wont read that unless they are doing a fishless cycle and actually have the problem.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Apistogramma was the one I was looking for. A c in place of a k isn't different to me. I believe it was Andrew Jackson who once said "it is a poor mind, indeed, that can't think of at least two ways to spell a word."

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

Next question?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

"It surprises even many scientists that one of the oldest and best-defined groups of model organisms are xxxxxxxxxxx fishes of the genus Xxxxxxxxxxx, the xxxxxxxxs and xxxxxxxxxs familiar to the tropical fish hobbyist."
 
Can you figure out what genus/species of freshwater fish are being discussed in the above? I will accept either the genus or either of the species.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Really? Nobody?
 
Ok, I will give you all a hint or two.
 
These fish are native to the western hemisphere, can be bought in almost any fish or pet store and are in the tanks of many folks who are
members on this site.

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

Corydoras?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Nope- so another hint, they are not bottom feeders. And to help with diet, they are omnivores. Oh yes, they live in warm water, so eliminate any cool water species.
 
The trick to creating a harder question is to insure it takes some effort to figure out the answer when Google is out there.

 
I am running down to the bank. When I return if there are no more guesses or a correct answer, I will tell you how to find the answer.

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

Gouramis?

 

[Ch4rlie]

Xiphophorus - Swordtail or platy

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Bingo, Ch4lie. You are up.
 
The final hint would have been to Google part of the quote. This would have led you to this:
 
"It surprises even many scientists that one of the oldest and best-defined groups of model organisms are livebearing fishes of the genus Xiphophorus, the platyfishes and swordtails familiar to the tropical fish hobbyist."