F.Y.B.Sc. Sem II Practical I: Department of Zoology C.K.Thakur ACS College, New Panvel

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F.Y.B.Sc.

Sem II Practical I

Date:
MOUNTING OF SCALES OF FISH
Aim: To mount and observe placoid scales of cartilaginous fish.

Requirements: Shark skin, 10% KOH, test tubes, test tube holder, watch glass, slide,
microscope.

Method:
1. Take a piece of skin of shark in a watch glass and remove attached muscles with
the help of forceps.
2. Transfer the skin into a test tube containing 2-3 ml 10% KOH. Boil for a few
minutes.
3. Allow the test tube to stand for a few minutes. Decant the supernatant leaving a
few drops in the test tube. Pour this residual KOH into a watch glass.
4. Place a drop from it onto a slide.
5. Observe under low power of a compound microscope.
Observation for Placoid scale:
1. Each scale has a flat base plate embedded in the dermis.
2. From the base plate of these primitive scales arise sharp, trident spines.
3. These tough, microscopic scales cover the skin and are protective in function.
4. They are found only in cartilaginous fishes (elasmobranchs) i.e., sharks and rays.
5. Structurally they show inner core of pulp, middle layer of dentine and enamel
covering and hence modification of the same develops teeth in elasmobranchs.

Department of Zoology C.K.Thakur ACS College, New Panvel


F.Y.B.Sc. Sem II Practical I

Aim: To mount and observe cycloid scales of bony fish.

Requirements: Sciaena, watch glass, slide, blunt forceps, dissecting and compound
microscopes.

Method:
1. Pluck a scale from the body of the fish with forceps and rinse with water.
2. Observe under the dissecting and low power of compound microscope.

Observation for Cycloid scale:


1. Each scale is small, oval-shaped and smooth with a uniform outer margin.
2. It is made up of an inner layer of collagen fibres and an outer organic layer
impregnated with calcium salts.
3. Like the ctenoid scale, the cycloid scale also grows in size resulting in development of
growth rings. These can be used to estimate the age of a fish.
4. These scales overlap each other which gives them flexibility.
5. They are found in bony fishes i.e., teleost.

Department of Zoology C.K.Thakur ACS College, New Panvel


F.Y.B.Sc. Sem II Practical I

Aim: To mount ctenoid scales of bony fish

Requirements: Sciaena (Dhoma)/Sole fish, watch glass, slide, flat, blunt forceps,
dissecting and compound microscope.

Method:
1. Pluck a scale from the body of the fish preferably with blunt forceps and rinse with
water.
2. Observe under the dissecting and low power of compound microscope.

Observation for Ctenoid scale:


1. Each scale is oval shaped with a spiny posterior margin bearing spines called ctenii.
2. It is made up of an inner layer of collagen fibres and an outer organic layer
impregnated with calcium salts.
3. These scales partially overlap thereby bringing about flexibility in the movement.
4. As the fish grows the scale also grows resulting in development of incomplete growth
rings.
5. They can be used to estimate the age of a fish.
6. They are found in teleost i.e., bony fishes

Department of Zoology C.K.Thakur ACS College, New Panvel

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