Question for Todd Groessl or anyone - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Grego · 01-19-2009, 06:37 PM

Have you ever come across stones similar to wsb in a halibut head? I found a couple of the same calcium type stones while boiling the head to make some trophy jaws. I usually just dump everything out after I get the bones I want, but this time I took my time and found two little flat stones at the bottom of the pot. Just curious.

Ed · 01-20-2009, 06:06 AM

Grego,

Those stones are otoliths and are found in all finfish. They are part of the inner ear and are used for balance and detecting acceleration etc. Most otoliths you can get wet and look at under magnification and count the rings just like a tree stump.The number of rings is how old your fish is. Here's the Wikipedia link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otolith

Ed

Grego · 01-20-2009, 07:25 AM

Ahhhhhh....very good Ed, thanks! They look just like those in that wikipedia photo. I guess because these are coming from big butts I noticed them.....gonna see if I can tell how old these 30 and 40lbrs are. I'll keep them for the owner.

Grego

01-19-2009, 06:37 PM	#1
Grego Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 445	Question for Todd Groessl or anyone Have you ever come across stones similar to wsb in a halibut head? I found a couple of the same calcium type stones while boiling the head to make some trophy jaws. I usually just dump everything out after I get the bones I want, but this time I took my time and found two little flat stones at the bottom of the pot. Just curious.

01-20-2009, 06:06 AM	#2
Ed Fringe Head Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Drippin Chicken Water Ranch Posts: 140	Grego, Those stones are otoliths and are found in all finfish. They are part of the inner ear and are used for balance and detecting acceleration etc. Most otoliths you can get wet and look at under magnification and count the rings just like a tree stump.The number of rings is how old your fish is. Here's the Wikipedia link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otolith Ed

01-20-2009, 07:25 AM	#3
Grego Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 445	Ahhhhhh....very good Ed, thanks! They look just like those in that wikipedia photo. I guess because these are coming from big butts I noticed them.....gonna see if I can tell how old these 30 and 40lbrs are. I'll keep them for the owner. Grego