Body Length of the Smallmouth Bass at Scale Formation

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Abstract
Weekly samples of young Micropterus dolomieu were taken from a hatchery pond. After measuring and skinning, the skins were stained with alizarin red. From an examination of the stained skins scale formation was first observed at an avg. fork length of 20.2 [plus or minus] 1.0 mm. Development of the scale pattern was examined by projecting the skins and tracing the outline of the region in which the scales had formed. The scales first arise on the caudal peduncle just anterior to the caudal fin along the lateral line. From this beginning the scales spread predominantly anteriorly, less rapidly dorsally and ventrally, and least rapidly caudally.

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