Standard Operating Procedure - Housing of Aquatic Species

Purpose

To establish husbandry procedures for animals housed in aquatic setting and to specify the procedures for appropriate documentation on the room work schedule/log sheet.

Investigators requesting housing of aquatic species in satellite housing areas (i.e. “Non-ULAR / Investigator Space” in e-Protocol) agree to take on the responsibilities normally provided by dedicated support staff to ensure the standard of care is maintained. Due to their unique needs, the IACUC has created a general template that must be used for aquatic species. Modifications will be required to accurately describe the needs of the specific species. Specific recommendations for evaluating water quality have been provided in bold but parameters will vary based on the particular facility and species being used.

Identifying Information and Statement of Agreement

PI Name: Click here to enter text.

Protocol Number: Click here to enter text.

Housing Building and Room: Click here to enter text.

Species: Click here to enter text.

Provide requested information below, indicate N/A when not applicable.

General Information:

·  Feeding plan

o  Describe food that will be provided: Click here to enter text.

o  Indicate frequency food will be provided: Click here to enter text.

o  Define storage accommodations for food: Click here to enter text.

·  Describe the tank system (i.e. static, flow thru, recirculating): Click here to enter text.

·  Water Management:

o  Water Source: Click here to enter text.

o  Method of conditioning or treatment of water: Click here to enter text.

o  Water change rate (if applicable): Click here to enter text.

·  Indicate all filters that are in place including the required maintenance frequency for cleaning or replacement (i.e. charcoal, bio filter, sediment, etc.):

o  Filter Type: Click here to enter text.

o  Filter Type: Click here to enter text.

o  Filter Type: Click here to enter text.

·  Describe the net disinfection plan: Click here to enter text.

·  Indicate location for

o  Carcass disposal: Click here to enter text.

o  Water effluent disposal: Click here to enter text.

Documented Procedures

- Tasks identified by * require documentation on an associated work schedule/log sheet. If tasks will not be performed at the specified frequency, indicate N/A in the text box.

1.  Daily - For days or periods when animals are not present, record “no animals” on the room log.

  1. Observe Animals* - Observe each animal in the tanks/pools/ponds.

i.  If an animal appears to be unhealthy, consult the animal use protocol adverse effects and early removal criteria, if applicable, or report the finding to a clinical veterinarian.

ii. Document all reports or consultations that result from unexpected observations.

  1. Temperature* - Record the room temperature (current only, excluding outdoor tanks) and the individual tank or tank system temperature.

i.  Insert target tank temperature range here: Click here to enter text.

  1. Food provided*. If other than daily, please describe frequency here: Click here to enter text.
  2. Water Quality Parameters evaluated*:

i.  Salinity: acceptable range: Click here to enter text.

2.  Weekly

  1. Water Quality Parameters*: (provide acceptable range or indicate N/A, bolded statements are strongly recommended)

i.  pH acceptable range: Click here to enter text.

ii. NH3 acceptable range: Click here to enter text.

iii.  Chlorine acceptable range: Click here to enter text.

iv.  Dissolved Oxygen acceptable range: Click here to enter text.

v. Other: Click here to enter text.

  1. General Lab Cleaning (i.e. remove trash, clean up spills, squeegee floor, etc.)

3.  Monthly

  1. Water Quality Parameters*: Click here to enter text.
  2. Check Light Timers* - Verify that the light timer is switching on or off at the appropriate time. (indoor housing only)
  3. Sanitize Floor* - Sweep the floor and mop with 10% bleach solution* to sanitize.
  4. Verify Battery Backup on Environmental Alarms - Alarm systems with a battery backup must be tested monthly when present (i.e. Rees, tattletale).

4.  Every Six Months - Record the last date of completion for each activity on each monthly room log to keep track of when the activities are due again.

  1. Verify Alarm System* - All environmental alarm systems must be tested/verified semiannually when present and documentation made available during semiannual inspections
  2. Animal Census: Report animal numbers (breeding, embryos, experimental fish) in the e-Protocol system

5.  Other

  1. Water quality must be sufficient so that animals must be able to be easily visualized. Tank walls should be scrubbed as needed to remove organic debris/algae. Provided expectations for staff: Click here to enter text.
  2. Primary enclosures (tanks) and associated equipment (enrichment) must be sanitized* at a minimum between study groups and on an as needed basis. Describe the process: Click here to enter text.
  3. Document filter changes/replacement*
  4. Other: Click here to enter text.
Enrichment

☐ Standard tank/pool/pond scheme for schooling fish will be social (group) housing. Additional enrichment may be provided such as: Click here to enter text.


Information Required to Comply with IACUC Policies

Housing Requirements for Animals, states that an environmental alarm system (determines temperature hi/lo points) must be activated and in working order for housing with environmental controls. Alternatively, justification for an exemption must be stated in the SOP/SMP.

Describe the type of alarm, set points, how notifications are sent and who receives notifications: Click here to enter text.

☐ I am requesting an exemption from the alarm requirement for the following reason (i.e. short term loss of power and/or heating/cooling will not have detrimental effects on the zebrafish because …): Click here to enter text.

Sanitation Validation, states that sanitation of primary enclosures and equipment (i.e. tanks and enrichment devices) via automated sanitation equipment should be validated at least quarterly. Results must be maintained and available during semi-annual housing inspections

Manual sanitation processes should be validated on a semi-annual basis for areas continuously housing animals. Results must be maintained and available during semi-annual housing inspections

Please select one of the following options for sanitation of primary enclosures (if applicable both can be checked):

☐ All primary enclosure items will be sanitized using an automated system and processes verified quarterly. Describe system (i.e. dishwasher, cage wash): Click here to enter text.

☐ The following primary enclosure items will be manually sanitized. The following disinfectant, contact time and dilution will be used (see Table 1: Hard-Surface High-Level Disinfectants for guidance and recommendations) and the process will be validated every six months.

·  Validation frequency for areas periodically housing animals must be defined below.

☐ This area does not continuously house animals and I am requesting the following validation frequency for manual sanitized items. Click here to enter text.

Items to be manually sanitized and description of procedure (include the disinfectant and dilution and contact time: Click here to enter text.

The process (automated or manual) will be validated by the following methods: (mark those that apply)

☐ Biological indicators (Verify)

☐ RODAC plates

☐ Culture swabs

☐ Other: Click here to enter text.

Instructions for Uploading to e-Protocol

After completion of the required sections above, please save this file as a pdf with the document title in the format “Protocol Number (PI last name) - Building Room Number” (e.g. 2010A00000512-R1 (Smith) - BRT 120) and upload the file into e-Protocol in the housing location request.

Applicable Regulations

1.  National Research Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Eighth Edition. National Academy of Sciences, 2011

2.  IACUC Policy - Housing Requirements for Animals

3.  IACUC Policy –Sanitation Validation

4.  IACUC Policy - Reporting of Temperature Excursions in Animal Housing Locations

5.  IACUC Policy - Documentation of Husbandry Procedures

Additional Information/Guidance

1.  Investigator Guidance:

  1. Work Schedule – Housing of Aquatic Species (Example)
  2. Housing of Animals Best Practices
  3. Temperature Excursion Reporting Log

2.  See Table 1: Hard-Surface High-Level Disinfectants for other acceptable disinfectants that may be used in lieu of 10% bleach.

3.  Possible examples of departures from SOP:

  1. Animals are housed at temperatures above/below Guide recommended range for specific research purposes
  2. Other - contact with questions about other items that might be considered a departure from the SOP