Shrinkage of 0+ carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) after preservation in ethanol

Changes in the length and weight of 240 larval and juvenile carp (standard length 10–45 mm) were monitored over 180 days after preservation in 70% and 95% ethanol. Shrinkage varied with initial (pre-preservation) size and ethanol concentration, but was stable after 1 day. Absolute shrinkage was directly proportional to initial body size, but per cent shrinkage was inversely proportional to initial size. Length shrinkage peaked at about 14% and weight shrinkage peaked at about 75%. Weight loss in 95% ethanol was almost twice that in 70% ethanol. The initial length and weight of specimens preserved in 70% or 95% ethanol may be estimated by regression equations provided here.