Fish Mounts
If you wish to use the actual fish for your fish mount instead of opting for a lifelike replica, you need to prevent the fish from spoiling before it reaches the fish mounter.
Please note that the method described below is only one of several ways of preserving fish for fish mounts. Also keep in mind that the used chemicals can be perilous for your health and the health of others that are exposed to them, as well as for the environment.
Formaldehyde (methanal) is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. In room temperature, it is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. Commercial solutions of formaldehyde in water are known as formalin. Formalin vapors are intensely irritating to mucous membranes. At concentrations above 0.1 ppm in air, exposed individuals may develop a headache, water eyes, a burning sensation in the throat and serious breathing problems. Recent studies have also shown a positive correlation between exposure to formaldehyde and the development of certain types of cancer, including myeloid leukemia.
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Skin exposed to formalin should be washed thoroughly with water.
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Protect your eyes and face while working with formalin.
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Learn more about the chemical and obtain up to date safety instructions before using formalin.
Preserving fish for fish mounts using formalin
Before submerging the fish in formalin, insert pins at the base of the dorsal and anal fins to hold them in lifelike positions. If you like fish mounts with open mouths, you need to pry the mouth open and use a twig or piece of wire to secure it in that position. After a few hours in formalin, it will be very difficult to make any changes to the position of the fish without causing serious damage.
A large bucket, baby's bathtub or similar can be used to accommodate the fish, as long as the container is large enough for the specimen. Angler's that use formalin to preserve fish for fish mounts typically use one part formalin to nine parts water.
Submerge the fish in formalin, carefully adhering to all recommended safety procedures concerning formalin. After roughly 24 hours, remove two narrow strips of skin and flesh from the side of the fish (lengthwise). Do not damage the show side of the fish; make both cuts on the opposite side. Removing some skin and flesh will make is easier for the formalin to penetrate all parts of the fish. Areas without sufficient formalin content will be susceptible to bacteria, so this step is important to ensure good fish mounts.
How long the fish must rest in the formal depends chiefly on its size. A large trout or bass will typically need a few days. There is certainly no rush to remove the fish; you can leave it there for several months if necessary.
If you can not transport the fish to your fish mounter in the tub with the formal, wrap the fish up in wet cloths, wet paper or wet moss. If the weather is hot, inject formalin (1 part formalin, 9 parts water) into the body cavity before you wrap the fish. The same is recommended if the trip to the fish mounter will take more than a day.
A fish that is wrapped in dry cloth, paper etc can shrink. Regularly check the wrapping material to make sure that it's still wet during transport.
If you can't take the fish to the taxidermist directly after arriving home, put the fish back into formalin.