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Comparison
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Replicas or Reproductions
|
Skin Mounts, Using Museum-based
Methods
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StructuralDetail
|
Excellent reproduction of skin
detail and body shape of a dead fish; on larger fish, sagging musculature
may create problems. Check out these replicas of a walleye
and a striped bass. |
Skin detail is usually well retained if
no scale loss; accuracy of body shape will depend on individual taxidermist's
observation skills and ability to accurately carve artificial body; some
shrinkage will occur on fins and head, requiring re-building to natural
shape. |
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PatternDetail
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All colors and patterns must be painted
on the blank (i.e., white) surface of the replica. Accurate reproduction
of the detailed patterns would require many hours of painstaking work,
so the painting typically omits natural details on most fish. |
Although colors fade substantially,
detailed patterns remain visible, and allow the artist to restore natural
colors while retaining all the original markings. The finished mount looks
very natural. |
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Durability
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Very good. Polyester resin and fiberglass
reproductions can crack, but are quite strong. |
Fair. Fins are easily broken
unless they are extensively reinforced. |
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Life Expectancy
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Unknown, since the chemical
products used are of relatively recent origin. |
Excellent, for at least a human
life-time, if the skin is properly cleaned, degreased and protected against
insect or rodent damage. Could be very poor if proper steps not taken. |
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EnvironmentalImpact: Conservation
VS Waste
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Fish can be caught and released, but not
all released fish survive. The replica producers must obtain (and kill)
a large number of fish to have different mold sizes available. The meat
is usually wasted in producing the molds. |
There is one less fish to catch
in the future. The meat can usually be saved and eaten. |
|
Cost
|
Comparable, but reproductions
tend to be somewhat more expensive. |
