Sudden Ray Death? ... Could it be Hyperplasia?

[Miles]

Sudden Ray Death? ... Could it be Hyperplasia?

Hyperplasia is a health issue that is not well known among aquarists. This "condition" is caused from toxins or irritants in the water. It primarily effects the gill tissue, but can also effect organs.

What exactly is it? It's scientific jargon for an excelerated growth in cell number as the body's response to damage from toxins or irritants. This overabundance of cell production causes an almost callous like development that prohibits the proper use of the organ or tissue.


What toxins cause it? Chlorine, Algaecide, Fungicide, Parasiticide, Relaxant, Antibiotic, Parasites, Substrate, Ammonia, Hardness, Acidity, Plastics, Paints, Spray Products, Fumes, etc..

Can it be cured? Not really. It can be halted, but the rapid cell growth can not be reversed. Fish may be able to live out their "damaged" life with this condition. No medication can treat it, and could possibly make it worse.


So... with that being said,

Have you ever heard of the dreaded Ammonia Burn? Do you think it could of been Hyperplasia?

Are you familiar with Ammonia toxicity and it's correlation to pH/Temperature? The higher the pH and temperature, the more lethal it becomes.


What about in Stingrays? They produce an incredible amount of urea, especially during capture, shipping, export, import, and acclimation..

Are stingrays immune to Ich? Perhaps their soft fleshy gill tissue is more susceptible than we think.. perhaps parasites, ammonia, shipping chemicals and a variety of other things cause Hyperplasia as a secondary effect? Ever heard of labored or rapid breathing right before a ray suddenly dies?

Rays have amazing regenerative capabilities as we have all seen, but perhaps Gill Hyperplasia in Potamotrygon is a problem that we are far overlooking?

Discuss..

 

[Miles]

Healthy Gill Tissue

 

[Miles]

Hyperplasia effected Gill Tissue

 

[joey02]

I wouldnt say that all "unknown" reasons for a rays death to be because of hyperplasia.

It could be alot of reasons... hyperplasia being one of them.

Hyperplasia could happen in a ray as a defence to something that irritates its tissues or to heal an injured or irritated area. you made a fine list of those irritants/toxins.

Now we know what causes it...

Since we are keeping rays in captivity, and since we control the factors that could lead up to hyperplasia..... i wouldnt call hyperplasia as the reason to "sudden death" ..I'd call that a slow, avoidable death.

Im not saying that these rays you see that are suddenly dieing for no reason, is not from hyperplasia, cause some could be. We'll never know unless a huge study is done. Which will never happen.


But id conclude that most of these unsolved mysteries, for the most part, are from some people leaving out pertanent information leading up to the death.. or not posting accurate information... only "ideal" information, making the death appear as if the death happened for no reason. "everything was perfect"
Or maybe they simply over looked something.. who knows.

 

[JeremyXXXX]

I have a feeling this is what killed my retic...

seemed as if she was just fine until she started breathing heavier and sat there, lifeless. Until she passed away a few hours later.

 

[Miles]

But id conclude that most of these unsolved mysteries, for the most part, are from some people leaving out pertanent information leading up to the death.. or not posting accurate information...

Perhaps not all of the information is available to the hobbyist? The fish could of been affected long before the aquarists purchased the animal and brought it home.

Reticulata and Hystrix rays, aka "Teacups" are known for their low prices and small sizes. It is also well known that the exporters will ship 4-8 rays PER BAG. This means, only 1 ray will need to defecate in the bag to spike ammonia for all the rays, thus resulting in hyperplasia (especially if drip acclimated ~ this can make it worse during long trips.).. which may not show signs until weeks later?

Are reticulated/hystix rays more sensitive, or is it just their overall collection and transport method due to their small size?

While Motoros and other larger rays are shipped 1 per bag/box. If they defecate in the bag during transport, that ray usually dies.

 

[DavidW]

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Lawler_Hyperplasia.html

Hyperplasia in fish seems to be an effect, not a cause. If your rays are dying of this then it is probably the owners fault through bad husbandry

 

[Miles]

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/Lawler_Hyperplasia.html

Hyperplasia in fish seems to be an effect, not a cause.

Nice Link, I would of pasted it.. but don't want to plagiarize anyone's thoughts.. right?

Thanks for clearing up the cause and effect notion. I must of been vague in my previous description. Perhaps you can enlighten us further with your expansive knowledge of Hyperplasia, David?

 

[keepinfish]

Sudden Ray Death? ... Could it be Hyperplasia?

Hyperplasia is a health issue that is not well known among aquarists. This "condition" is caused from toxins or irritants in the water. It primarily effects the gill tissue, but can also effect organs.

What exactly is it? It's scientific jargon for an excelerated growth in cell number as the body's response to damage from toxins or irritants. This overabundance of cell production causes an almost callous like development that prohibits the proper use of the organ or tissue.


What toxins cause it? Chlorine, Algaecide, Fungicide, Parasiticide, Relaxant, Antibiotic, Parasites, Substrate, Ammonia, Hardness, Acidity, Plastics, Paints, Spray Products, Fumes, etc..

Can it be cured? Not really. It can be halted, but the rapid cell growth can not be reversed. Fish may be able to live out their "damaged" life with this condition. No medication can treat it, and could possibly make it worse.


So... with that being said,

Have you ever heard of the dreaded Ammonia Burn? Do you think it could of been Hyperplasia?

Are you familiar with Ammonia toxicity and it's correlation to pH/Temperature? The higher the pH and temperature, the more lethal it becomes.


What about in Stingrays? They produce an incredible amount of urea, especially during capture, shipping, export, import, and acclimation..

Are stingrays immune to Ich? Perhaps their soft fleshy gill tissue is more susceptible than we think.. perhaps parasites, ammonia, shipping chemicals and a variety of other things cause Hyperplasia as a secondary effect? Ever heard of labored or rapid breathing right before a ray suddenly dies?

Rays have amazing regenerative capabilities as we have all seen, but perhaps Gill Hyperplasia in Potamotrygon is a problem that we are far overlooking?

Discuss..

wow, been a long time. Nice to see some brainstorming again!

Very interesting read. You should stick around Miles!

 

[bbenjamin21]

I 2nd keepinfish. Great thread!