Caudal fin branding fish for individual recognition in behavior studies

Abstract

Caudal fin branding is an inexpensive technique for marking and identifying small, fragile fish. A modified tip on a hand-held soldering pencil is used to cauterize small holes in the caudal fin membrane. The technique is simple to use, appears to cause little trauma to the fish, and lasts for at least several weeks. © 1979 Psychonomic Society, Inc.