Scales form protective layer: bony fish

1 of 1 Fish scales / Jørgen Schy.. / License

Some bony fish protect themselves with a layer of smooth-edged cycloid scales made of bone.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Animals

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Ship surfaces with reduced drag, roof tile design to manage water flow.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The typical bony fishes -- trout, herring, cod, and hundreds of other species -- have scales made of very thin, flake-like pieces of bone, often fine enough to be transparent. They are usually more or less rounded in outline: cycloid scales have smooth edges, while ctenoid scales have a spiked or serrated trailing edge (diagram b). The scales grow in the dermis, the inner layer of the skin, and are covered by a fine epidermis or outer skin layer: each scale fits into its own little pocket of epidermis (diagram c). The skin contains glands emitting mucus which keeps the scales slippery and flexible (as an angler knows to his cost) and also acts as an anti-septic, protecting the fish from bacterial infection. The scales grow by adding rings around the edge; they grow fast in summer but little in winter, and thus leave seasonal growth lines by which the age of the fish can be estimated." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:86)

About the inspiring organism

Actinopterygii
Actinopterygii

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Ship surfaces with reduced drag, roof tile design to manage water flow.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Shipping, building

References

Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.

Scales form protective layer: bony fish

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