Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Commonly available freshwater fish may include:
commonly maintained families of aquarium fish:
Barbs and Danios
Betts and Gouramis
Catfish and Cichlids
Livebearers and Loaches
Rainbowfish
Tetras
tropical and coldwater species.
Behavioural characteristics may include:
behaviour characteristics can vary according to:
the breeding season
the species, breed, age and sex of the animals
the time of day or night
behaviour characteristics associated with different species:
activity levels at certain times of day or night
feeding and foraging
fight or flight
social interaction
reproductive behaviours
the environment being kept within
the other marine animals in that environment
defensive behaviour:
biting
defending territory, other fish or food.
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:
age, sex, sexual maturity and size
body shape and fin modifications
eye colour
markings, patterns and permanent scars
microchip, tattoos and markings
skin and scale colours and texture
tail and fin shape, size and location.
Indicators of poor water quality may include:
colour
odour
unsuitable water chemistry parameters.
Water quality adjustments may involve:
correcting chemical imbalances
partial water change
raising or lowering pH or hardness.
Signs of distressed freshwater fish may include:
aggressive behaviour
altered respiration rate
any change in normal behaviour, such as swimming patterns
discolouration
erratic swimming patterns
fins clamped against body
ill-thrift
floating
hiding
immobility
inappetence
presence of external disease organisms
subdued behaviour.
Housing design and environmental factors may include:
environmental:
aeration rates and supply
biological control of waste
cleaning routines and methods
electrical safety
escape proofing
drainage and weather protection
fundamentals of the biological process
general animal housing security
heating and lighting
filtration requirements to maintain the water quality and optimal environmental conditions for target species
housing furniture and compatible plants
outdoor predator protection e.g. protection from fish eating birds
water flow rates and currents
housing design:
housing options:
aquaria
indoor
intensive production fish care systems (commonly used in research facilities)
outdoor
warehousing
housing requirements:
compatibility of species housed together
food distribution
security considerations
longevity and sturdiness of materials
plants, features and substrate materials
suitability for specific species
species-specific options for animals to hide or rest
designs that allow for enrichment activities or species-specific feeding or socialising
social options:
solitary
pairs
single sexed groups
polyandrous/polygamous groups
mixed species.
Enrichment needs may include:
food or food-related enrichment:
creation of currents during feedings
creation of feeders such as cone/film canisters with holes for brine shrimp to swim out of
feedings at different times of day
feedings at different places in tank (if possible)
providing opportunities to scavenge, graze and forage for food
sinking feeders
variations for types and styles of food and activities (e.g. live animal or plant species)
physical enrichment:
diverse and varied environment for animals to pick their comfortable spot plus open swimming areas as required
periodic changes of lighting intensity
seasonal change of lighting photoperiod
periodic changes to exhibit décor (e.g. changing logs, plants and branches)
random addition of novel items (e.g. shells, rocks, leaves and plants)
social enrichment:
animals of the same species housed with same to encourage species-specific behaviors
mixed species exhibits to encourage positive inter-species interactions.
Welfare of animals requirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations
enrichment opportunities
the absence of predators, pests and vermin
the compatibility of species, breeds and sexes.
OHS risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, envenomation, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
electrical hazards enhanced by the presence of water
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain freshwater fish may include:
buckets
damp towels
fish anaesthetics:
Aqui-S
Clove Oil
MS-222
fish traps
plastic bags
soft gloves
soft, knotless hand nets
wet sponges.
Methods used to approach and catch freshwater fish may include:
gradual approach to allow fish to adjust to human presence
prior introduction of capture equipment
removal of tank furniture and plants
use of clear plastic bags to reduce stress.
Common health issues may include:
behavioural disorders
environmental hazards:
contamination of the water due to presence of toxins
exposure to extremes of water quality
exposure to the elements
inadequate activity
temperature extremes
ventilation
infectious diseases caused by:
bacteria, virus, fungus and protozoa
internal and external parasites
non-infection diseases:
nutritional imbalances and disruptions
genetic disorders
metabolic
neoplastic
physical traumas
chemical toxicities and allergies
zoonotic diseases.
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:
routine health check-up
control of parasites and insects
immunisation/vaccinations as required
quarantine and isolation
routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination
routine water quality checks and analysis
use of 'aged water'
use of prophylactic and therapeutic water treatments.
Digestive system features may include:
anatomical features:
mouth size, shape and location
gill rakers, teeth types and locations and teeth structures
digestive chemicals and bacteria
alimentary canal and stomach, pyloris and liver
intestines and cloaca
physiological features:
eating processes
nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods
waste elimination
feeding patterns and locations
potential digestive system malfunctions or problems.
Feeding hazards may include:
animal movement and handling
shelf life of foodstuffs
manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment
contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources
organic and other dusts
excessive noise
possibility of zoonotic infection.
Documentation on the care and management of freshwater fish may include:
accident and incident records
animal feeding, health and treatment records
animal identification and history
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) compliance records, such as:
Quarantine Approved Premises (QAP) Tank Charts
noxious species
chemical and veterinary supplies register
diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records
equipment use, damage and repair register
OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records
provisions records of current stock and items used and items required
stock control records
water chemistry and quality records
water change frequencies and amounts.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
identify the specific characteristics and needs of freshwater fish and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management
classify and identify freshwater fish by age, sex, reproductive status, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology
assess water quality for suitability for maintained species
safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain freshwater fish
report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual fish, where relevant, in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards, workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of freshwater fish must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can includeaquariums, pet stores, zoos, animal technology facilities, fish farms or distributors, quarantine approved premises or similar workplaces.

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available freshwater fish species.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and responsibilities over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).