Can fish with scales survive without scales? Why or why not?

Question

Basically if I caught a fish that had scales, and removed the scales would the fish be able to survive in the water, and if not why not.

Answer 1

If you remove the scales, you must have also removed the mucus membrane that surrounds the fish. The mucus, scales, and skin of the fish all function as our skin does: to protect the animal from any pathogens that may be in their environment. By removing their scales, they are venerable to both predators and pathogens like bacteria, viruses, debris in the water, and toxins like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Also, in saltwater fish, the scales are very important for osmoregulation. Scales prevent the fish from becoming dehydrated by maintaining the proper balance of water inside the fish.

Soop Nazi

Answer 2

Fish Without Scales

Answer 3

Scales are a protection measure for fish. The surface of the scale itself is only about 1/4 of what you see. The scales actually are deep into the body, and only 1/4 of it is on the outside. It's very painful for fish to lose scales. It would be the same effect as someone pulling your nails off. Though scales preform protection far beyond what our nails do, it's the closest analogy I could think of. Scale prevent disease and pathogens that can weaken of kill fish in short order. It's protection against physical harm as well. A fish probably could survive for a short time if you did that, but I doubt it would survive very long.

Answer 4

If his scales are rising up like poking out then your fish could have a disease called dropsy. It can be treated with antibacterial medicated food and better water conditions. Apparently it makes the fish look a little bloated to. It obviously might not be this but it is a popular disease and at least this will help you look into it further on the Internet. O and if it is dropsy then it isn't contagious. .. And ya the white stuff is ick on the other fish, the ick parasite is a free swimming organism in the tank that can attach itself to fish and does so much easier when the fish is stressed and the immune system is down. But you can get the medication almost anywhere and the directions are easy to follow. Be sure to keep the water as clean as possible to minimize the parasite.

Answer 5

i think he means if a scaled fish suddenly has no scales, without stressing or harming the fish in any way, would it live?

good question..

Answer 6

They can survive but not for too long. It is like your skin removed.

Answer 7

thats very interesting, i never thought of that before

probably not, i mean think of it this way, say someone cut off all your skin, would u still live? who knows but we do know you'll definately feel alot of pain. the fish will probably die

Answer 8

No. Their scales are like our bones, they protect thier organs,o only their scales is like our outermost skin layer.

Answer 9

Will a human with skin survive without skin? why or why not?

Answer 10

i dont think so because i think the scales help them process oxygen