Fish scales
Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 10:43 pm
Does anyone know how to preserve fish scales and mount them?
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Fish scales
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Re: Fish scales
Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 11:14 pm
Sorry, I don't do permanent mounts. I prefer wet mounts and photos.
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Tue May 09, 2017 1:22 pm
Simple protocol, wash well with tap-water, then into >=95% alcohol, 2 changes (IPA is cheap and easy to get hold of) for about 4hrs total. Then simply mount in clear nail-polish with coverslip of course.
Should do the trick for a quick start.
John B.
Should do the trick for a quick start.
John B.
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 3:10 pm
mrsonchus wrote: ↑Tue May 09, 2017 1:22 pmthank you so much!
Simple protocol, wash well with tap-water, then into >=95% alcohol, 2 changes (IPA is cheap and easy to get hold of) for about 4hrs total. Then simply mount in clear nail-polish with coverslip of course.
Should do the trick for a quick start.
John B.
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 2:43 am
Thank you very much!!Omar wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2019 3:10 pmmrsonchus wrote: ↑Tue May 09, 2017 1:22 pmthank you so much!
Simple protocol, wash well with tap-water, then into >=95% alcohol, 2 changes (IPA is cheap and easy to get hold of) for about 4hrs total. Then simply mount in clear nail-polish with coverslip of course.
Should do the trick for a quick start.
John B.
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 11:46 pm
In my field of work we age fish scales. The way it's done, for that at least. Is by making impression slides. The scales are put on a plastic acetate slide and the run through an impression roller mill. The pressure from rolling leaves a perfect impression of the scale. Which can then be viewed under the microscope for ageing.
I have a a whole bag I need to do for my next project.
I don't know how one could mount an actual scale due to the fact that they will always curl, which is why impression scales are made. I would suspect the scale would need to be wet so it won't curl.
I have a a whole bag I need to do for my next project.
I don't know how one could mount an actual scale due to the fact that they will always curl, which is why impression scales are made. I would suspect the scale would need to be wet so it won't curl.
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2021 1:07 pm
Read: An Impression Method for Preparing Fish Scales for Age and Growth Analysis )https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10. ... ode=uzpf20)saunderse12 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 24, 2020 10:07 amDoes anyone know how to preserve fish scales and mount them?
Share your outputs!
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2021 7:26 pm
Here is a scale and otolith from a Yellow Perch I just did.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12065&p=98574#p98563
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12065&p=98574#p98563
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 5:16 am
#5 Post by Red_Green » Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:19 pm
Fish otolith that took me hours....
Red Green,
What do you use to locate and extract the otolith from the fish?
I can only imagine one of those microscopes with the manipulators where you use micro surgery arms!!
Also, never knew the scales and otolith show the age of fish, knew about enamel on the teeth of mammals, etc..
Great pictures of both!
V
Fish otolith that took me hours....
Red Green,
What do you use to locate and extract the otolith from the fish?
I can only imagine one of those microscopes with the manipulators where you use micro surgery arms!!
Also, never knew the scales and otolith show the age of fish, knew about enamel on the teeth of mammals, etc..
Great pictures of both!
V
Re: Fish scales
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 9:27 pm
I don't use anything to locate the otolith. As a fish and wildlife technician I was trained to do it. It's an acquired skill and mostly based on feel. You cut the gills, pull back the membrane on the top of the fishes mouth. Feel around for a slight bulge where the skull connects to the neck. Then score it with scissors at a slight angle and snap the neck back. Then with tweezers you just pull the 2 otoliths out. It may take a few fish to get the hang of it.Voyager-1 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 5:16 am#5 Post by Red_Green » Mon Feb 22, 2021 9:19 pm
Fish otolith that took me hours....
Red Green,
What do you use to locate and extract the otolith from the fish?
I can only imagine one of those microscopes with the manipulators where you use micro surgery arms!!
Also, never knew the scales and otolith show the age of fish, knew about enamel on the teeth of mammals, etc..
Great pictures of both!
V
Some fish though are next to impossible. Channel Cats, suckers etc. The otolith are so small the odds of finding them are slim. Lake trout, despite there size have very tiny otolith.
I have taken otolith from rainbow smelt. I may try on other minnows. They are easy actually on tiny fish because you can see them because the bone surrounding them is so thin. Actually working with them is another story.
I did bear teeth in college. That was interesting.