Effects of Soaking Solutions and Chilling Treatment on Pigment Movements in the Erythrophore of the Red-colored Marine Fish Beryx splendens

Abstract

The effects of distilled water, salt solution, and chilling treatment on erythrosome movements in erythrophores of the red-colored marine fish were investigated to elucidate the mechanism for the inhibition of the red color expression by ice-cold sea water. Soaking in distilled water inhibited the erythrosome dispersion, while erythrosomes of the fish soaked in 3.5% NaCl solution around 1°C dispersed around 10h after death, exhibiting a vivid red skin color. The chilling treatment around 1°C showed a slight inhibition of the appearance of red skin color. These results suggested that ice-cold sea water should not be used in order to reveal the vivid red skin color of marine fish.