my dead fish

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How do you preserve it so that it does not fall apart? Do share...
 
bomber;3828375; said:
How do you preserve it so that it does not fall apart? Do share...

it was easy with just the head.
just use something to keep the mouth open if you like, pull the lip down a bit and keep it at some where hot and dry and in couple days it'll be hold its shape but leave it there longer to ensure all the flesh are completely dried up.
I just left them on top of my furnace so it's nice hot and dry, put them in a plate or something so doesn't get the furnace dirty.
the p's retain the color on the gill plates at first then slowly goes away as they became completely mummified.
I suggest to remove the eyes at the beginning, forgot to do that with the mala and it didn't turn out so good.
 
Otherone;3829204; said:
Damn ............ thats crazy. I hope the Mala wasn't the one you given a few months ago. Just outta curiosity how'd the Mala die?

unfortunately it was...I had it in 75g with a hoplias microlepis that was about 4" bigger than it so it got chased around and abused even with all the driftwood and plants I had in there, by the time I found it it's barely alive so I had to end its suffer.

BaileyIV;3829459; said:
that is sweet!! is there away you could get the hole body?

you'll either have to cut the fish open to remove organs or use a piece of wire (hard enough so it can pull the organs out) make a hook at the front to remove as much organs as possible. clean up the inside (sole it back up after done if you cut the stomach open) dry it up and you can do the same as the head. you may want to do it outside of the house if the fish is big, with that much flesh it might stink up the basement if you are going to air dry it. winter is good since the air is usually very dry (unless it rain or snows) and cold enough so you don't have to worry about insects eating your fish and lay eggs all over it. just make sure no birds or other animals around to steal it from you.
the other way is load the fish inside out with baking power to help remove moisture. cover the entire fish in baking power and replace those power as needed.
Either way it won't look as good as the head only since the body will shrink and be all wrinkly and stuff.

if you want one like this, needs to be done by professionals
P1010156_1.jpg
 
yea I meant baking soda, no idea when i typed baking power..lol
 
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