Necropsy: Systems Description


Postmortem examination of a fish involves the observation of many organs and organ systems. Therefore it is helpful to be systematic in your examination procedures. The following screens offer a protocol checklist and a sample necropsy worksheet to help you in your systematic necropsy procedures.

 

External Examination

- General condition
- Behavioral odservations (if alive)
- Fins and skin
- Skin scrape
- Gill biopsy
- Length and weight
- Blood sample
- Eyes and nares
- Lateral line
- Oral cavity
- vent

 

Internal Examination

- Remove eye
- Open body cavity
- Dissect out spleen
- Dissect out liver
- Remove gonads
- Remove swim bladder
- Sample head and caudal kidney
- Sample muscle and skin, including lateral line and nares
- Remove brain
Open and sample stomack and intestines

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