A Simple Field Technique for Obtaining Small Samples of Muscle from Living Fish

Abstract

A method for obtaining small samples of muscle from living fish is described. The procedure employs a modified Silverman biopsy needle and samples of approximately 40 mg are obtained. Survival rate in a group of fish held in aquaria and periodically biopsied is excellent. Quantitative mercury analyses were carried out on multiple biopsy samples from a group of fish and the precision of the results is as good as that obtained when analyses were carried out on excised portions of muscle.