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Re: preserving fish
Hello Rebecca,
Ever since formaldehyde was identified as a carcinogen, its use can not
be recommended.
One good preservative solution is made up from 70% ethanol + 10%
glycerine. Let the specimen soak in it for a week or two, then change to
fresh solution. Bulky specimens may require two or more changes to freah
solution.
(I think that propanol can be substituted for ethanol.)
One uses 70% ethanol, because 95% ethanol will dehydrate (and deform)
the specimen. Glycerin is there to maintain pliability and some
protection in case the alcohol evaporates.
Best,
George
> How does one go about preserving fish specimens? I'm actually not asking
> about this for killies, but for dwarf gouramis that I did my research
> project on this semester. I crossed the wild type with the red and blue
> color morphs, and got some interesting looking fish. I'm a genetics major,
> & I'll be working with these fish & their descendants for awhile.
>
> I don't actually want to kill any of my fish, but I have had a hard time
> photographing my F1 generations (pics are up at
> http://www.4thcoast.com/fish/), and was thinking maybe I should turn in
> some of the actual fish.
>
> Does putting them in alcohol work? I think I've read that people do that on
> collecting trips. Is there a better preservative?
>
> thanks,
> Rebecca...
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