[Nhcoll-l] Fish Skeletal Preparation Advice

[Murphy, Emma]

Hi All,

We in the National Museum of Ireland have, by good fortune or madness, recently acquired a reasonably sized 200kg ocean sunfish Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758). We already have a wonderful taxidermy specimen dating from 1888. We plan to use this new specimen to prepare a mounted skeleton for display (and of course retain some fluid specimens of tissues/parasites).

We are rather excited at the prospect, but would be very eager to hear from any list members who have experience with museum-quality preparation of dry fish skeletal material. We are a very small team, and intend to prepare this specimen in-house. In case it is relevant, we intend to dissect out the bones from the carcass, as opposed to maceration.

Tips on preservation of the fish skeleton, any recommended treatments, mounting materials, and tips for longevity and durability of such dry osteological fish material on display would all be extremely welcome. Modelling tips (for replacing missing dorsal fin) would also be great. Recommended reading tips also encouraged!

Best wishes,
Emma


Emma Murphy
Coimeádaí Zó-eolaíocht / Curator of Zoology
Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann - Stair an Dúlra / National Museum of Ireland - Natural History | Sráid Mhuirfean / Merrion Street | Baile Átha Cliath 2 / Dublin 2 | Éire / Ireland | D02 F627
emurphy at museum.ie<mailto:emurphy at museum.ie> |
Website<http://www.museum.ie/> |

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