In university-level ichthyology courses it may be desirable to provide
students the opportunity to see and examine a diversity of fishes. Some of
us are located in places where public aquaria or large commercial fish
markets are lacking, and therefore have to rely on preserved specimens for
those not found locally (or resort to the alternative of having students
look at fish photos, which would not be a closely comparable laboratory
experience). If the intent is to have students directly examine and study
actual specimens, obtaining preserved fishes from places and habitats
outside one's own geographic region can be a problem. A small number of
species can be obtained from American biological supply companies--such as
lampreys, one or two kinds of sharks and rays, trout, perch, and
drumfish--but I am not aware of commercial sources for other species.
Aside from personal or institutional exchanges, are there other sources in
the U.S.A. or other countries where a broader ranger of taxa can be
purchased as preserved specimens?

Cal Kaya, Professor of Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
59717

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