The Beauty of Fish Scales
Fish are absolutely beautiful. There, it’s been said. They‘re often out of sight, well-camouflaged, and beneath the surface, so appreciating their beauty is sometimes difficult to do. It’s for that reason why we’ve chosen to take a closer look at these stunning beauties and appreciate them for their aesthetic.
Brook Trout
Some of our most colorful freshwater fish, brook trout scales are striking when you see them. Living mostly in small flowing streams at higher elevation, their sensitivity to pollution limits where they can survive. Eastern brook trout range in color from green to brown, with light marbling on the top and scattered red spots with blue outlines. Their lower fins are deep red and sport a white outline.
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are easily identified by the broad reddish band or “rainbow” which runs along their side from head to tail. The reddish band blends into a dark olive green on the back and pure white or silver on the belly. The back, dorsal fin and tail are generously sprinkled with black spots. The brightness of color varies with where the rainbow trout lives and what it eats. Look for them in prime trout waters that are clear, clean and cold.
Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden char (Dollies for short) are perhaps the most flamboyant of the char species. When migrating, they are are usually dark green on the back with silvery sides and white underneath. Prior to spawning both male and female Dolly Varden can exhibit a variety of color combinations as they change to their full spawning colors, all of them vibrantly beautiful.
Sockeye Salmon
Showing off a lovely and shimmering silver, while in the ocean, they‘ll change colors when they cross back into freshwater. When adult sockeye are ready to spawn they typically turn a vibrant red, with a green head, hence why they are commonly called “red” salmon in Alaska.
Florida Gar
Not only beautiful, but fascinating, gars have ganoid scales. These scales are composed primarily of ganoine, which is closely related to enamel in our teeth! Recent research links the two evolutionarily, and also helps explain why gar scales are so hard and tough.
Bluegill
The bluegill is a moderately large fish and gets its name from the large blue spot on the back of its gill. Another characteristic that helps identify this species are the evenly spaced dark bars along its back. The bluegill can easily adapt to various water bodies but prefer lakes or slow moving streams. They are most active in early morning.
Reasons to Keep Them Wet
Fish are famous for the texture of their scales, but they are slimy for a reason ! Fish scales are covered in a coating of mucus to protect them from fungus and external parasites. If you plan on catching then releasing a fish, be sure to wet your hands first to help fish keep their slime coat intact.
There’s a whole movement to ease the stress on fish when they are caught by encouraging anglers to “Keep em wet”, or keep the fish in water. By doing this, you ensure you’re releasing the fish in the best condition possible.
By Danielle Brigida, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
