would you consider somethign like this?
http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M150C-...9203483&sr=1-2
sidenote...i seriously can't believe i'm considering buying a microscope to look at fish slime....
would you consider somethign like this?
http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-M150C-...9203483&sr=1-2
sidenote...i seriously can't believe i'm considering buying a microscope to look at fish slime....
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That one doesn't have the bells & whistles, but should be enough for the poop examination you can't wait to perform. And the price is right.
I would think of that scope as having 400x magnification in terms of its resolution. Using the 25x eyepiece with a 40x objective lens is just zooming without an increase in clarity.
Hi Jack (you never want to say that on an airplane),
That scope is okay but I'd recommend getting one with a mechanical stage or a mechanical stage adapter. I'll post a pic of a stage adapter. Also see the #6 post in this thread (my scope with mechanical adapter).
ms100_microscope_4.jpg
The reason for this gizmo is that it lets you scan your slide with better control and in an orderly manner, i.e., you can move back and forth then move to the side a bit and then back and forth again (and so on). If you position the slide and cover slip so that they are lined up with the stage (not askew), you can easily move right along the edge of the cover slip which is where you'll likely find the most bugs (parasites)... this presumes you're doing a scrape and scope of the slime coat. If you're just doing a scan of fish poop under the cover slip, a mechanical stage still lets you do that systematically so that you're less likely to miss something.
This is usually not all that much fun but knowing what you're dealing with, i.e., identifying the problem, allows you to target your treatments. A sick fish doesn't need to be bombarded with a bunch of chemicals if it's not going to help. Once you figure out what's wrong, you can treat for that. In these cases, you're the vet and nothing beats knowing what you're doing.
I'm still trying to figure out how to post videos. I just found a post by Pat that tells how to post 'em on YouTube then link. I'm thinking that should work (when I get time).
Spike
Last edited by Spike Cover; 12-04-2015 at 03:28 PM.
If you want to save pix, a digital scope (or dig adapter) is good for that. I've just pulled the eye piece and stuck my digital camera up to the tube of a scope and actually taken some decent pix. You can see if you're in focus on the screen on the back of (most) the camera. You can also (and I have) take video that way. Unless you're wanting to share, a pic is not all that important. If you can ID the various parasites, that's the main thing. Again, then you know what to treat for. Or alternatively, rule out parasites and not have to put your fish thru a chemical treatment. A good fishy vet I know always says, "A chance to treat, is a chance to kill." Good advice in my book.
Some folks like to have super scoobie doo equipment and I'll admit, a binocular scope with a real mechanical stage is typically a nice thing to have. And if you've got the money, it's more fun to use. I've lusted after a nice scope for years but the one I have already has never failed to get the job done and there's always something else that I want more. Maybe some day.....
Spike
PS, I actually bought a digital scope but rarely use it.
Last edited by Spike Cover; 12-04-2015 at 04:37 PM.
No matter how hard you try,
You can't beat fun!
well i thinking this microscope idea could support the whole educational aspect of the current project for kids. i'm guessing we could also just look at the water and see stuff too, but i am assuming that would work. i can't remember ever using one.
The most fun the kids will have with a microscope is looking at some algae scraped off the glass, or from pond scum. There are all sorts of little creatures swimming around in it.
Folks,
It's true that kids (even big kids) can have fun with a scope but I was hoping to encourage the Discus fans to consider using one to help diagnose sick fish, especially when parasites are suspected. If you're successful just once, you'll be "hooked" and realize what a valuable tool a scope can be. You won't be hitting the fish with formalin if they have flukes, or Prazi if they have costia. You'll be able to target your treatments and therefore have them be effective. I'm guessing that the last thing a sick fish needs is to be bombarded with chemicals that aren't doing anything for their problem.
I'm still looking for good videos of parasites. Actually I already have a bunch but don't know if I can get permission to post them.
I've seen on this forum that Discus get flukes and Ich, but it would be helpful if you all would chime in with other common parasites that show up on Ds. This is so I can look for, and hopefully post, helpful parasite videos.
Spike
Last edited by Spike Cover; 12-05-2015 at 10:35 AM.
No matter how hard you try,
You can't beat fun!
i think it makes a TON of sense to use to diagnosis too. this board would be a goo places to some how tos and actual pics of what to look for. i have some old book about all fish parasites, but something less textbook would be better.
i has an otto die the other day, could have looked for "something"
that "white pimple" thing shows up on this board, that people call a "pimple" but is not. maybe a scope would enlighten us.
Here's a skin fluke video (courtesy of my friend Duncan Griffiths):
https://youtu.be/vk2yMrsSJq0
Sorry I can't figure out how to embed the video but if you follow the link, you'll see it.
I'll try to find and post more as I have time.
Spike
Last edited by Spike Cover; 12-05-2015 at 01:48 PM.
No matter how hard you try,
You can't beat fun!
Spike,
Here is a list of the usual suspects:
EXTERNAL PARASITES
Flukes
Gyrodactylids
Dactylogyrids
Skin and gill flagellates
Costia
Cryptobia
Oodinium
Oodinioides sp.
Parasitic Ciliates
Ichthyophthirius
Chilodonella
Tetrahymena
Trichodina
INTERNAL DISEASE ORGANISMS
Worms
Capillaria
Camallanus
Internal Flagellates
Hexamita
Spironucleus
Trichomonas
Bodomonas
Cryptobia
Protoopalina
This list is from Dieter Untergasser's Discus Health. TFH Publications, 1991.
Last edited by DJW; 12-05-2015 at 02:30 PM.
Thanks. I don't know why I didn't thing of Untergasser as I have that book.
I just put up a YouTube video of a skin fluke. Gill flukes look pretty much the same except they are don't have a baby fluke inside as they are egg layers. Plus they have 4 eye spots at the end opposite the hooks.
I can probably find videos for Costia, Trichodina, Chilodonella, and Ich. Don't know about the others. But maybe Tetrahymena. I have some books with line drawings of many of these plus I can probably find some still pix shot thru scopes. If I can't find videos, maybe that's the next best thing.
That said, knowing how the various bugs move is a real help in diagnosis.
Spike
No matter how hard you try,
You can't beat fun!
Here's an equivalent for over $30 less ($108): http://www.amscope.com/microscopes/4...cal-stage.html
With the extra money, you can buy some slides and cover slips .
Spike
Last edited by Spike Cover; 12-05-2015 at 08:58 PM.
No matter how hard you try,
You can't beat fun!
Here is a microscope video with British narrator, elevator music and everything:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAPVLd4w4xE