How to Remove Fish Slime for Taxidermy

Most taxidermists recommend that you leave the slime on a fish until you can bring it to the taxidermist. This allows the slime to serve its original purpose, protecting the fish skin and the scales of the fish. If you're doing your own taxidermy, however, or if your taxidermist has asked you to take a few steps toward preparing the fish for taxidermy yourself, you'll need to know how to remove the slime from the fish yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Tarp
• Garden hose
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Lay the fish out on a tarp or other waterproof surface.

2. Turn a garden hose on the fish. Either use a trigger spray attachment or place your thumb over the hose opening to increase the pressure of the water coming out of the hose.

3. Blast the slime off one side of the fish with the water from the hose. Then turn the fish over and blast the slime away from the other side as well.

4. Lift each gill slit individually and use the garden hose to wash the slime away from each gill and the mouth area, too.

5. Lay the fish out on paper towels and carefully blot it dry with more paper towels.

References

• Fish Taxidermy