Well- it is a mucous created by the continal replacement of glandular cells know in the fishes skin that produce a glycoprotein which is called
mucin. This when mixed with water forms the mucus that makes up the slime coat of fish.Fish with poorly developed scales tend to produce more of
this slime coat.. The slime coat does threee basic things- it reduces turbulence for the fish when swimming by smoothing over the areas between
the fishes scales-it helps regulate the internal/external ionic balance and the efficiecy of gases exchanged through the skins
surface-ie-osmoregullation and it provides a slipery surface that in it's sloughing off prevents bacteria from attaching themselves to the skin.
Bacteria is simply washed away from the skin with this process. It also aids in acting as a wound bandage. Pretty important stuff........In some
fish it retains moisture(lungfish) feeds fry(discus and some asian cat fish)) and can be toxic for a defence mechanicism and form a cocoon as in
marine parrotfish for sleeping.It is the nest building material in labyrinth fishes and functions as a as a chemical alarm through the water
from panic syndrome or injury.Stressed fish have a change in thier slime coat-either too much or too little of this protection will kill a fish.And now you know-Anne
mucin. This when mixed with water forms the mucus that makes up the slime coat of fish.Fish with poorly developed scales tend to produce more of
this slime coat.. The slime coat does threee basic things- it reduces turbulence for the fish when swimming by smoothing over the areas between
the fishes scales-it helps regulate the internal/external ionic balance and the efficiecy of gases exchanged through the skins
surface-ie-osmoregullation and it provides a slipery surface that in it's sloughing off prevents bacteria from attaching themselves to the skin.
Bacteria is simply washed away from the skin with this process. It also aids in acting as a wound bandage. Pretty important stuff........In some
fish it retains moisture(lungfish) feeds fry(discus and some asian cat fish)) and can be toxic for a defence mechanicism and form a cocoon as in
marine parrotfish for sleeping.It is the nest building material in labyrinth fishes and functions as a as a chemical alarm through the water
from panic syndrome or injury.Stressed fish have a change in thier slime coat-either too much or too little of this protection will kill a fish.And now you know-Anne
