• Sterile dissection scissors / Biopsy punch
• Sterile forceps
• 2D coded 1ml sampling tube (with cap) containing tissue preservation buffer (order from www.blueanalytics.no/en/)
• Ethanol or 70% isopropyl alcohol for surface disinfection
• PC
• Portable PIT tag scanner connected to PC (if the fish have a PIT-tag)
• Portable 2D/QR code reader connected to PC
• Sterile gloves
• Clean, flat surface for dissection
• Clean the dissection area thoroughly with a suitable disinfectant to minimize the risk of contamination.
• Prepare the PIT tag scanner and ensure it is functioning correctly.
• Set up the QR code scanner and ensure it is functioning correctly.
• Use an appropriate fish anaesthetic to sedate the fish and minimize stress during the procedure. Follow the recommended dosage and guidelines for the specific fish species.
• While the fish is sedated, use the PIT tag scanner to read the unique identification number from the PIT tag implanted in the fish. Record this number in a spreadsheet. This number will be used to link the fish ID to the tube ID. If no PIT tag is used, record other relevant individual or family-based information in this field.
• Immediately after scanning the PIT tag, take an unused sampling tube and scan the QR code on the base of the tube directly into the same spreadsheet to ensure the QR code is linked to the unique identification number from the scanned PIT tag.
• Gently place the anesthetized fish on the clean, flat surface with its tail fin accessible for sampling. If the tail fin is unsuitable for sampling, consider a pectoral fin.
• With the biopsy punch or scissors, carefully cut a small 3mm biopsy from the tail fin. Take care not to damage any other tissues or cause unnecessary harm to the fish.
• Open the sampling tube containing storage buffer carefully, ensuring the inside of the cap and the tube remain uncontaminated.
• Place the 3mm biopsy into the sampling tube using the sterile forceps. Ensure that the biopsy is completely immersed in the buffer to ensure proper preservation of the DNA.
• Close the sampling tube tightly with the cap to prevent any leakage or contamination.
• Provide appropriate post-sampling care to the fish to aid its recovery from the procedure and the anaesthetic effects.
• Tissue samples must be kept refrigerated from collection to dispatch. Samples must be shipped within the buffer expiration date as labelled on the matrix racks. It is recommended to ship as soon as all sampling is completed.
• The samples must be packed in a styrofoam box and shipped on ice / with cooling bricks.
• Samples must be sent as an express overnight package. The tracking number for the shipment is to be sent to: mottak@blueanalytics.no
• The completed order form Sample submission form Genomics must always be included in the package so Blue Analytics knows what the samples are.
• The spreadsheet linking the fish ID (PIT tag number) and the tube ID (QR code) should be sent to: mottak@blueanalytics.no upon sample shipment, together with an electronic copy of the completed order form Sample submission form Genomics
Blue Analytics AS
Kong Christian Frederiks plass 3, entrance A, 1. floor
5006 Bergen
Note: Always adhere to the relevant ethical guidelines and obtain necessary permits for fish sampling and research. The use of PIT tags and QR codes is crucial for maintaining accurate data records and tracking individual fish samples throughout the DNA and genotyping process and for downstream data analyses.