Key to the Identification of Canned Salmon Species by Scale Characteristics

Abstract

A key based on characteristic scale patterns has been developed to distinguish the five species of canned salmon. The scales are simply removed from the fish skin, examined under magnification, and keyed as to species. Nine of ten cans of unknown salmon were correctly identified by laboratory personnel unfamiliar with salmon species. The one error was due to inadequate explanation of terms used in the key. It is recommended that the amended key be subjected to collaborative study.