In Saturday, 20 April 2025 at Mini Zoo Jogja Exotarium, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Wildlife Study Group (KSSL) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UGM held an event called Pisces or Marine Mammals Basic Medicine with the theme of Understanding the Ecology of Arapaima and Parrot Fish. The aims of this event are to increase the basic knowledge of KSSL members and general participants about the examinations and medical treatments for freshwater fish and saltwater fish, and as a place to brainstrom and discuss the veterinary competencies related to fish medical examinations and treatments. It is hoped that KSSL members and the paricipants, students of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine UGM, can apply their knowledge and skills that has given from the event in their future professional life as a veterinarian.
This activity was opened by a speech by drh. Akbar Taruna as the director of Jogja Exotarium. Drh. Akbar told the students to continue exploring to find new knowledge, and build self-branding as a good and credible vet. Then, the event continued with a seminar session by drh. Lusiana Rachmawati who delivered the knowledge about how to do conservation for arapaima fish.
Participants and committees learned a lot about arapaima fish starting from morphology, characteristics of its nature, distribution, diseases, and parasites that are usually experienced by the fish. Arapaima fish itself is a species originating from the Amazon River, Brazil. This fish is invasive and protected. This invasive nature makes this fish act as a controller of ecosystem stability. Unfortunately, its population is decreasing due to excessive fishing.
This fish should not be released freely in Indonesian waters because it can interfere with local fish species. With good conservation, the existence of arapaiman fish can prevent illegal trade and uncontrolled release into public waters so as not to endanger other fish species in local waters.
The seminar session was continued with a Q&A session and a workshop for demonstration and practice of parrotfish and red snapper necropsy. The participants and committee were shown directly how to do a good fish necropsy, then they practiced the same thing in small groups.
From the seminar and the workshop that have been held, participants received advanced knowledge about the behaviour and various fish disease treatments. Participants’ involvement is expected to deepen their understanding of fish diseases and their impact on the environment. In this way, it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 14: Life Below Water, and Goal 17: Partnership for the goals.
Salam Lestari!
Author : Salma Nur Hanifah
Photo Credit : Monica Diana Sintadevi
Editor: Dea D.