Fish health professionals can obtain valuable information about a particular aquaculture facility by asking the proper questions while collecting historical information.  Although the questions may become directed and specific regarding a particular problem or disease, there are some basic fundamental questions which should always be included:

• When was the current disease or problem noticed and what steps have been taken to correct this problem?
• What clinical signs of disease have been noticed during this particular problem?
• When was the last introduction of new fish to the system?
• What were the percentages of mortality and morbidity during this last problem? (This question relates to the mortality and morbidity graph rates, see photo
• What changes, if any, have occurred with respect to:
  • Nutrition? (It is possible that you have an incorrect diet for your type of fish, or that your fish feed is not being stored or handled properly or is expired.)
  • Water quality? (Water quality problems are a very common source of chronic fish problems in many private aquaculture settings.)
  • Physical environment, including tanks or ponds, aeration equipment, feeders,  etc? It is important that your equipment is well-maintained and is working satisfactorily.  It is also very important you have the right equipment to perform the correct task.