How to Buy a Taxidermy Fish Kit

Choosing the best taxidermy kit for your prized fish is easy.  Select the type of manikin that closely matches the natural anatomy of your fish.  The most simple mounts are made from metal, vinyl, wood, and most commonly clay. A decorative mount has the added visual appeal of a natural fish pose, such as swimming or bending.

• Order a video that illustrates the process so that you can visually see how taxidermy is done.  Many kits come with a short DVD video to shoe the consumer how to handle the chemicals. 


• Use caution with some of the chemicals used as they are harmful to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and some are poisonous if swallowed.  Inquire about newer products that are not as caustic and harmful.  Many of the adhesives used over 50 years ago contained fumes that were harmful when inhaled.


• Utilize a manikin   form to use as the shape of the fish.  The skin is glued with adhesive to the form to hold the fish skin onto the manikin.  The taxidermist does not use the organs or the bones of the animal.   The manikin as a form of the anatomy of the fish body for use as the form of the taxidermy.


• Create your specific type of fish using a form or a kit.  If your area does not have an ocean, and you are looking for a seawater fish form, it may be in your best interest to search for a fish taxidermy supplier who specializes in that particular area.


• Select the right tools for the job in order to make your taxidermy come to life.  There are specialized knives, scalpels, scissors and shears, fleshing tools, form prep tools, painting tools, measuring tools, mounting stands and cradles.  Multi-purpose tools, such as a Dremel, aid in the construction and deconstruction of eye parts.  Blowers and dryers help in the drying process.  The chemicals need to dry evenly to ensure that there is no discoloration of the scales.