Chinook Otolith in Sac (IMAGE)

University of Washington

Chinook Otolith in Sac

Caption

The otolith of an adult Chinook salmon harvested in Nushagak Bay. The otolith is still within its endolymphatic sac where it is surrounded by a fluid (the endolymph). Minerals from the water (e.g. calcium and strontium) are pumped into the fish's blood via its gills, routed into the endolymph, and deposited on the otolith in discrete layers throughout each fish's life.

Credit

Sean Brennan/University of Washington

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