The diagnostic laboratory is becoming increasingly important to the productivity and profitability of hatcheries, fish farms, and aquaculture stations. The basic function of the laboratory personnel is to isolate and identify viral, bacterial, protozoan, and other fish pathogens present in cultured and feral fish stocks. New, rapid and accurate methods for the detection and identification of fish disease agents based on immunological, biochemical, and physiological assays are becoming commonly used. Nearly every North American state or province and many foreign countries have fish health regulations that require inspection of stocks for certain disease agents before the fish are shipped into their areas. Decisions from the diagnostic laboratory on identification, treatment, guaranteed isolation, immunization, and disposal of fish populations affect administrative directives, hatchery placement, and national and international transportation of fish and fish products. This paper reviews concepts and describes the equipment, supplies, biologics, and media needed for the basic diagnostic laboratory. Information management, including training of staff, certification procedures, and quality control are also discussed.
