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Chemical applications can be effective at treating thrips however most treatments do not kill them outright and instead prevent them from feeding and thus starving the insect. Due to their lifecycle stages that exist within the plant, multiple applications may be necessary to eliminate them from the system or control an outbreak.
A more comprehensive overview of vegetable pests can be found at:
https://entomology.ca.ukv.edu/ent60
https://www.uvm.edu/~entlab/Greenhouse%20IPM/pestsandbiocontrols.html
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/insect-and-related-pests-of-vegetables
Disease Problems and Management
Fish Disease and Treatment
Fish culture is inherently a messy business. Bacterial pathogens and parasites that affect fish are naturally occurring and opportunistic by nature. Good management, proper husbandry practices, and daily observation of fish can prevent many issues associated with fish health. Proper management techniques in the fish production of the aquaponics system should include: system design, water quality monitoring and correction, equipment maintenance, feed storage, fish observation to remove sick or dead fish, and worker sanitation. Common external physical signs of fish disease include:
Hemorrhage: an abnormal discharge of blood
Lesions: a defined area of diseased tissue such as an ulcer, blister, or canker
White spots or pustules
Pale or swollen gills: often seen with fish “gulping” at the surface of the water for air
Dark coloration
Excess mucus on the skin or gills
Sloughing of skin
Emaciation
Distended abdomen
Exophthalmia: pop-eye
There are four major groups of pathogens related to fish culture: fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Common fish diseases and their treatment are listed below. Typically, diseases seen in aquaponic production systems are a result of environmental or physical stress (Figure 20). Stress can stem from 1) rough or excessive handling, 2) confinement of non-domesticated species of fish into tank systems or inappropriate stocking densities, 3) improper feed supply, feeding regiment, or nutrition and 4) poor or unsuitable water quality conditions.