08-29-2013, 07:09 PM
If you want I know for sure how old your fish are, pick out the otoliths (inner ear bones) and count the rings. One ring = one year just like on trees. I do it all the time, it's not hard once you learn how to dig them out...
If you want a real precise age you can sand down or cross section the otolith and count the rings under a microscope, but you can get pretty accurate readings by just counting the rings without any sanding or cutting - though a magnifying glass will likely be helpful.
You can also do the same thing with scales too, but the rings are not as easy to make out as they are on otoliths.
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If you want a real precise age you can sand down or cross section the otolith and count the rings under a microscope, but you can get pretty accurate readings by just counting the rings without any sanding or cutting - though a magnifying glass will likely be helpful.
You can also do the same thing with scales too, but the rings are not as easy to make out as they are on otoliths.
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