Fish/ing Handling  8/22/06
Dear Bob,
<Rich>
From my searching on the web, it seems that you are recognized as an expert on fish slime.
<Heeee! Okay>
  I am a consummate angler and catch-and-release most every fish that I catch.  I know that one should always wet their hands before handling a fish to help protect the slime coating on their body.
Here's the question. . . What is the best (glove) material (other than, or maybe even better than one's hands) for handling a fish?  Said another way, "What is the least invasive/destructive means to grab a fish?
Rich Kalich
<Mmm, the soft/er garden gloves that are all cotton... w/o the plastic beading... These will give the fisher enough "grab" to hold the catch steady if need be... and wipe off the least amount of body slime in the process. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Re: Fish Handling  8/22/06
Bob,
<Rich>
Thanks for your quick response.
<Welcome>
How about some of the synthetic materials e.g. kind of a fake suede that get particularly soft when wet?
<Mmm, have seen some of these... I really think they're a bit more coarse than the simple cotton>
Do you know of any research that's been done on this subject i.e. specifically testing materials impact on the integrity of fish slime?
Rich
<I don't, but would not be surprised to find that there had been such... a very pertinent/important subject... There have been studies re removing fishes from the water (for fisheries work, de-hooking) and the (amazingly disastrous) mortality resulting. Bob Fenner>

Antibiotic properties of fish slime  9/25/05
Hi!
I am in the 6th grade, working on a science fair project.  I heard of the antibiotic properties of fish slime and I enjoy fishing very much so I would like to do a project on how fish slime can inhibit or kill bacteria.  I would appreciate any ideas of how to set-up and do a simple experiment to show the antibiotic effects of fish slime.  I live in Hawaii, so any ideas on which type of fish would be best to use.  Also, any other ideas or background information would be great.  Thank you for your help. <Tyler, I'm sorry to say that we don't do these homework type projects as our time is very limited in answering queries related to the freshwater/saltwater hobbyist.  James (Salty Dog)>
Tyler <<James... a shame... RMF>>

Re: Fish slime article in Aquarium Fish magazine
Thank you very much for your assistance, it is greatly appreciated. I think your article has answered most of my questions except for a few.
Please elaborate on your answers as much as you can and also provide the contact info that I can give to my editor.
1) Does handling of a fish really have an impact on the slime coating?
<Absolutely. Slime easily "wiped off" by handling... more made in response to real, perceived stress>
2) Do commercial solutions designed to "protect" or artificially produce slime have a positive effect on fish?
<Often, yes... or should I/we state, more often than not. Many "poison" the fish livestock (slightly), causing the fishes to produce more slimy coating>
3) What factors promote the proper function or dysfunction of the slime coating ie; diet, water condition, etc?
<These as well as social phenomena, genetic disposition, disease states...>
Thank you again,
Erica Stoton
<You will soon be able to apply for a doctorate on the subject! Bob Fenner>