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PRESERVING FISHES

It is sometimes desirable to preserve specimens, particularly if a positive identification by museum authorities is required. Also small, unusual or rare fishes can be kept as curios or as teaching aids for children. The recommended method of preservation in any case is exactly the same one that is employed by fish biologists in museums. The basic ingredient is full strength formalin which can be obtained from a pharmacy. The preserving solution is made by diluting one part of formalin with nine parts of water. The fish should be fully immersed in the solution. If larger than about 15-20 cm a slit along the side of the belly will facilitate preservation of the internal organs. For long term storage it is desirable to transfer the specimen to a 70 per cent ethyl alcohol solution (70 per cent ethanol, 30 per cent water) after the fish is fully fixed in formalin (i.e. after several weeks). However, the fish may be held in the initial formalin solution for several years without deleterious effects.

Unfortunately colours fade rapidly in preservative. Therefore photography (see below) is a valuable method of accurately recording the colour pattern.