The age of people is determined by the number of years lived or by the mark in the passport and birth certificate. It is documented as is the age of the pets. The age of trees is determined by the number of rings in the trunk cut. How many rings, so many years. How to determine the age of fish ?!
Instructions
Step 1
This method is similar to determining the age of a tree. But you don't need to cut the fish, you need to catch it. Take the caught fish and pull out several (10-15) scales from it under the base of the first dorsal fin above the lateral line. Try to keep the scales of the correct shape, without defects.
Step 2
Remove dirt and mucus from the scales. If there is sufficient contamination, place the flakes in a weak solution of ammonia, then dry them.
Step 3
Examine the scales with a magnifying glass, loupe, or microscope. They, like a saw cut from a tree, have rings. The number of rings is believed to indicate the age of the fish.
Step 4
In fish with small scales, age is determined by the gill covers, ear bones, vertebrae, and cuts of the rays of the pectoral fins. Before examination, bone material is dried, degreased, clarified, and sometimes boiled. The annual rings are also clearly visible on it.
Step 5
It should be borne in mind that this method can only give an approximate determination of the age of the fish. Because in addition to annual rings, there is also a fry ring, and additional rings that appear on the scales, depending on changes in the living conditions of the fish. You will need time and observation to learn how to tell the age of fish.
Step 6
You should know the age of aquarium fish yourself if you breed them. But if you have to buy fish from the store, keep in mind that sellers can rarely tell the exact "fish" age. It is usually sold between the ages of 6 months and 1 year. In addition, the size of a fish cannot be an indicator of its age. After all, if the fish was in poor conditions, did not eat much, it can be small and have a pale color.
Step 7
Generally, aging of aquarium fish is gradual, and attentive aquarists usually recognize its signs. The fish begins to fade, evenly lose color. The behavior of older fish also changes. They often lie at the bottom without moving, become apathetic, lose their appetite. However, these signs should appear gradually. Otherwise, these signs will mean that the fish is sick.
