Ways To Ensure That A Taxidermy Fish Looks Real

If you've just caught a large and significant fish that you want to keep, it's time to promptly find a taxidermy professional who works in your area. They can take the fish and prepare it to hang on your wall or sit on a display stand in your home. Regardless of the size and type of the fish, you want it to look as realistic as possible. There are several different ways that your taxidermist will achieve this goal, and you shouldn't hesitate to discuss these points with them. Here are three things that this professional will likely do for mounted taxidermy.

Glossy Look  

When you pull a fish out of the water, it has a glossy appearance due not only to the water on its body, but also a fine amount of oil on the scales. After the fish is deceased, this glossy appearance often disappears. When the taxidermy project is done, you want the fish to appear lifelike instead of dead. Many taxidermists will give the scales of the fish a glossy finish by treating them with one or more substances. These substances will provide a sheen once they dry that provides realism.

Curved Body

When you lay your fish on a table after it's deceased, it won't have a lifelike look. Part of the reason for this is that the fish will be laying perfectly flat. When fish are swimming, their bodies bend back and forth as they propel themselves through the water. Another way that your taxidermist will ensure that your fish has a realistic look is to position its body in a slightly curved manner. If you want the fish on a mount that you'll hang on the wall, it's common for the center of the fish's body to be against the mount with its head and tail curved outward slightly.

Open Mouth

You can expect that your taxidermist will ask you if you want the fish displayed with its mouth open or closed. Some people have specific preferences, but a lot of people find that an open mouth helps to give the fish as realistic of an appearance as possible. An open mouth can make it seem as though the fish is about to bite either a smaller fish that is swimming near or perhaps even bite into your lure. To learn more about the various ways to ensure that your fish will look lifelike, contact a local taxidermist.