Regeneration of the Scales of Atlantic Salmon

Abstract

On removal of scales in the smolt new scales develop in the scale pockets, attaining normal width in 40 days, but not quite normal length even by 59 days. Initial growth is very rapid and without circulus formation, but with decreasing rate circuli are formed with intervening spaces diminishing in width and there is often a check when normal growth commences. Scales near a large area of regeneration show checks corresponding to time of most rapid regeneration. Pairs of small and large regenerating scales occur, each pair apparently developing from the one pocket.