[Nhcoll-l] Formalin in exhibition instead of ethanol

[Bo Delling]

Dear all,
Up to recently we had a giant squid Architeuthis sp. in exhibition ("Liv in Vatten" = Life in Water/Aquatic life). It was contained in an aquarium, 80% ethanol (650 liters!). For the moment, we are planning for thorough modernization, i.e. the exhibition will be rebuilt from scratch but we wish to keep the squid. It is very popular. However, we might face problems regarding fire safety regulations and one idea that came up was to transfer the specimen to weak formalin solution (1%).
-Anyone having any experience and perhaps suggestions regarding concentration and suitable buffer?
My limited experience is based on museum specimens (mainly fishes) that previously were in the old NRM exhibitions. I come across them now and then in the scientific collection and according to older documents, the ethanol was replaced with formalin around 1960 because the expense. Anyway, this old exhibition jars with specimens look very nice (except for bleaching of specimens) and the fluid (formalin solution) looks like clear water.
All the best,
Bo


Bo Delling, PhD Ichthyology
Curator of Fishes and Herptiles

Swedish Museum of Natural History
Department of Zoology
Frescativägen 44
P.O. Box 50007
SE-104 05 Stockholm

Phone: +46 85195 4240

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