| OTOLITH RESEARCH LABORATORY - GUIA MARINE LABORATORY |
Larval otoliths are usually obtained after a variable period of preservation in 4% borax buffered formalin (pH 8.5). The specimen is placed on a microscopic slide and the otoliths are extracted with the aid of fine forceps. These are then mounted permanently in a quick-drying neutral mounting medium (D.P.X.). The microgrowth increments, without any previous preparation, are usually easy to detect with the aid of a light microscope .