Ask A Scientist Zoology Archive

name         Theresa G.
age          15

Question -   what are the contents of fish scales? I want to know what 
are the different compounds in fish scales as I am going to do a project 
on them. Thank you.
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I am going to guess that most of the fish scale is built from
proteins...probably not too dissimilar to keratin, but I would check an
ichthyology book.

Peter Faletra Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Science Education
Office of Science
Department of Energy
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They are mostly a protein called keratin.  This is the protein that makes up
horns, claws (fingernails), hair, and feathers.

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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A fisheries biologist tells me there are few studies on scales; the best he
can tell me is that they are from 41% to 84% organic protein (collagen and
ichthylepidin) and the remainder mineral residue and inorganic salts like
magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate.
J. Elliott
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