Catfish Otolith Preparation

Dave Buckmeier, Texas Parks and WildlifeSDAFS Catfish Technical Committee

2014 Catfish Age Workshop

Remove and DryFrom the top

Remove and DryFrom the bottom

Otolith PreparationSmall otoliths (Buckmeier et al. 2002)• Burn • Mount to a slide • Sand to nucleus

Large otoliths• Grind with dremel• Polish with sandpaper• Burn

Small Otoliths – Burn

Mount to a Slide

Sand to Nucleus

Large Otoliths – Grind with Dremel

Polish and Burn

Immerse in Water

View – Illuminate with Fiber Optic

Storage