The Effect of Preservation in Formalin on the Morphological Characters of Spirlin (Alburnoides Eichwaldii)

The present study was done to investigate the effects of fixing and preserving in 10% formalin on the morphological characteristics of Spirlin (Alburnoides eichwaldii). For this aim, 35 specimens of Spirlin were collected from Vajargah River, Gilan, Iran. After initial evaluation on morphological characters such as Total Length (TL), Standard Length (ST) and Head Length (HL), samples were fixed and preserved in 10% formalin for 6 months. After this period, samples were removed from formalin and measurement and evaluation of color features were done once again. The results showed shrinkage was common in all of the specimens and changes in body color were clearly distinguishable with fresh fish such a way that the body and fins color were opaque but color pattern is acceptable but the intensity is reduced.