Visual Implant; Liquid Latex; Acrylic;
Alcian Blue
(Elastomer, VI Alpha Tags)Visual implants are internal subcutaneous marks that are externally visible. Elastomeres are colored and/or fluorescent plastic paint that are injected subcutaneously usually at the base of fins. The VI Alpha tag is a small fluorescent tag that displays an alphanumeric code that is implanted internally with syringe-like injectors but remains externally visible for easy recovery.
Advantages:
- Visual implants are internal subcutaneous marks that are externally visible
- Elastomeres are colored and/or fluorescent plastic paint that are injected subcutaneously usually at the base of fins
- VI Alpha tag is a small fluorescent tag that displays an alphanumeric code that is implanted internally with syringe-like injectors but remains externally visible for easy recovery
Disadvantages:
- Most often used only in research work where the institute carrying out the project does recovery of marked specimens, since marks may easily be overlooked
- Transparency of fish may change causing the mark to become less visible with time
- Special mark injection equipment needed
- Marks may easily be overlooked and special equipment such as UV-light may be necessary for detection