FishGuts: A Multimedia Guide to the Art and Science of Fish Anatomy, Health and Necropsy

FishGuts is an interactive, computer-based training program which provides an overview of fish anatomy and standardised necropsy techniques. Rainbow trout and channel catfish are used as models to illustrate basic external and internal anatomy. Additional species are included to show inter-and intraspecific variation. Users have complete control over use of the program and can observe all aspects of a diagnostic examination, including case history, gross necropsy, examination of parasites and digitalised glass slides, and preparation of final reports. These media illustrate fish anatomy, gross necropsy and lesion/parasite observations. The interface allows the user easy access to all portions of the program. This includes viewing text and micrographs leisurely, and having full control over film screens with stop action, frame advance and fast forward functions. Use of QuickTime films allow for identification of live, mobile parasites, and protocols for necropsies. The program is divided into five navigable sections, each with separate subsections. Useres can navigate to the different sections and subsections from the MAIN MENU. These main menu sections include: 1 About FishGuts (how to use the program: an animated narrative; program credits and references on fish health, disease diagnosis and drug therapy, including bibliography); 2 Taking a Case history (skills and appropriate questions for obtaining accurate background information); 3 Anatomy (subchapters on external: channel catfish model, and internal anatomy: rainbow trout, bluegill and channel catfish models); 4 Necropsy Techniques, including over 50 Quick Time films (subchapters on external examination: non-lethal methods to examine a fish including anaesthesia, general observations, skin scrape, gill biopsy, blood sampling, haematocrit and plasma protein, and gill function animations, and internal examination: sacrifice, systematic methods to dissect all organ systems and take samples for preservation and histopathology); 5 Sample Cases (a diverse group of selected diagnostic cases: cases offer background/history, gross observations, histopathology and final diagnosis).

Comments & References: Suitable for researchers, veterinarians, graduate and veterinary students, fish health professionals, and those interested in fish anatomy, dissection and necropsy techniques. FishGuts is available on a hybrid CD-ROM disc, usable on both Macintosh and Windows-based (3.x or Windows 95) personal computers. Hardware requirements include a CD-ROM drive, colour monitor (640 x 480 resolution), and if Windows-based, a sound card and speakers or headphones. The FishGuts software contains approximately 300 megabytes of digitalized high quality sound, narration, photographs and micrographs, and QuickTime films, and is presented for self-paced learning.

May be difficult to get hold of. Please contact Dr. Andrew Kane. 

Computer type: Macintosh, IBM

Version: 1.0