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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