Chemical confusion leads to death of 400 fish at Texas State Aquarium
A mislabelled chemical has been blamed for the loss of more than a tenth of Texas State Aquarium fish last week.
As per the aquarium’s protocol, the commonly-used parasite treatment, Trichlorfon, was tested for mass use in a smaller tank. With no ill effects on the fish, staff treated the larger tanks with what was supposedly the same chemical but from a different, identically labelled, container.
The result was that 400 fish or around 13 per cent of the aquarium’s total collection, died overnight. Initial tests carried out by the aquarium after the investigation show that the chemical used was actually hydroquinone – a chemical used as a stabiliser in paint and motor fuel, and for film processing. In living creatures, the chemical causes blood poisoning and acts as a carcinogen.
"For further verification, we have also sent samples to the Texas Veterinary Diagnostic Medical Lab, and we will share additional information as it becomes available,” said a statement from the aquarium. “At this time, we are not prepared to release the name of the company from which we acquired the drug.
"We are in the process of cleaning all of the impacted systems to remove any trace of the toxin. Once we have established the water is safe, we will begin adding new fish."
Activists, actors and scientists go to court in opposition of beluga whale import plan
Developers break ground on St Augustine Aquarium
SFO-based EHDD Architects complete Toledo Zoo aquarium's US$25m redevelopment
One fish left in Tokyo Sea Life Park exhibition after mystery disease kills nearly entire population
Texas State Aquarium breaks ground on US$50m expansion
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
How Portugal’s biggest brewer enlisted the help of one of the country’s best known architects to turn two historic nature parks into thermal spa and nature destinations