[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Fish with mould

[Shoobs, Nate]

Hey Vanessa,
Dirk’s advice is good, and also if you search the NHColl archive for the US english spelling (mold) you’ll find a few other threads. I asked a similar question a few years back, the thread is called ‘What do you do with failed wet lots?’
Best,
Nate

-
Nathaniel F. Shoobs, Curator of Mollusks
College of Arts & Sciences Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University
Museum of Biological Diversity
1315 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH 43212
614-688-1342 (Office)
mbd.osu.edu<http://mbd.osu.edu/>
________________________________
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Dirk Neumann <d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2026 7:02:05 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Fish with mould

Hi Vanessa, I would bring it back to slightly above 50%EtOH first (ethanol acts as biocide above 50%) and leave it in 50% for some time (depending on the size of the fish 1-2 days or several days) until the mould dies off. Depending on the condition

Hi Vanessa,

I would bring it back to slightly above 50%EtOH first (ethanol acts as biocide above 50%) and leave it in 50% for some time (depending on the size of the fish 1-2 days or several days) until the mould dies off.

Depending on the condition of the fish, you can lower the concentration in a second step to support rehydration (which again takes time), or directly but slowly increase the concentration.

Cleaning should be done very carefully (mild brush) after the initial treatment, as the tissue of the scale pockets might have been damaged.

Hope this helps
Dirk


Am 05.02.2026 um 12:31 schrieb Vanessa Pitusi:

Hi all,



I was going through the fish collection at our museum and found an individual that is not in the best state.



80% of the ethanol had evaporated from the jar and it looks like the specimen has been exposed for some time, as a layer of black mould has formed on the left side of the fish.



Any tips/advice?



Should I let it dry out or just place it back in ethanol?



I will try to remove the mould where possible, but the specimen is not in a good state.



All the best,

Vanessa



[cid:part1.EyB0kZj0.ZRZvGx6r at leibniz-lib.de]



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--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael H. Wappelhorst
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