Dec 16, 2014 · Fin-clipping is one of the most basic and oldest methods of marking fish and is nearly as simple as it sounds. Ideally, one would use a pair of surgically sharp scissors, sterilized with alcohol, and clip part or the entire fin of a fish.

Fin clipping is a common practice that serves many purposes for studies involving fish. Fin clipping can be used as a form of identification in a collection of conspecifics and allow for identification for later recapture.

Fin-clipping is one of the most basic and oldest methods of marking fish and is nearly as simple as it sounds. Ideally, one would use a pair of surgically sharp scissors, sterilized with alcohol, and clip part or the entire fin of a fish.

Fin clipping is the most common method for marking groups of fish, but there is still debate in the scientific community as to whether it causes harm. The majority of research studies conclude that fin clipping does not cause reduced survival or growth rate.

Fin Clip: Cut a small piece of fin tissue from the caudal (preferred), dorsal or adipose fin of a fresh fish using clean scissors or a scalpel blade; use freshness of fin to decide where to clip. Tissue size should be at a minimum 5 sq. mm. (see below †), which is about the size of a hole punch.

IF&W fisheries biologists use a four-year rotation (“mark of the year”) of fin clips for short-lived salmonids such as landlocked salmon and brook trout. For the four-year rotation, the only fins used for marking are the ventral fins (also known as pelvic fins) and the adipose fin.

Mar 9, 2025 · The simple answer to the question, “ Which fin is clipped on salmon? ” is the adipose fin. This small, fleshy fin located on the back of the salmon, between the dorsal fin and the tail (caudal fin), is the standard target for fin clipping in most salmon hatcheries.

The fin is clipped at a point not greater than halfway between the tip of the fin nd the point where the scales end. The biopsy should be no more than 20% of the caudal fin and ideally less than 10%. Cautio must be used to only remove fin tissue, and not damage the peduncle to avoid hemo

Fin Clipping e re moved from the fish . Usually two fins are clipped because one of them may grow back, and occasionally there i s the natural oc currence of a f sh with one fin missing . Fin clipping i s inexpensive and can be done rapidly, as ma y a s 300 fis h per hour . Large numbers of young salmon or trout are marked this way in hatche r ie s

Oct 8, 2024 · Fin clipping is a common practice used by fisheries biologists to identify and track fish populations. It involves the removal of a small portion of the fish’s fin, typically the adipose fin, which is located between the dorsal fin and the tail.