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underwater equipment includes spears (hand or powered with rubber), 
springs or compressed gas, ichthycides, explosives, underwater cameras, 
traps, depth metres, and so on. 
Spears are, of course, of value above water, particularly in association 
with spawning runs, night lights, and certain large fishes. 
Electric Fishing 
Large and small portable back-pack electric shockers are of considerable 
value in collecting. AC or DC units may be employed. Their value lies 
in the fine specimens collected, in their usefulness on snag or bouldery 
bottoms, and in the selective nature of catching. (See Burnett (1952, 1959) 
or bibliography in Schwartz (1961).) 
Traps 
Traps vary in size from small minnow traps to huge pound nets and 
weirs. The fish may enter traps out of curiosity, be attracted by bait or 
electricity, or impelled by stream or tidal current. Most traps employ a 
funnel entrance which guides the fish in, and from which the fish find it 
difficult to escape. 
Local fishermen and small boys are often of great assistance to the 
collector. The game warden and experienced local angler should not be 
overlooked, nor should the commercial fisherman. 
Check List of Collecting Equipment 
The following list summarizes equipment necessary on an ichthyological 
expedition : 
Nets: seine, gill, dip, trawl, plankton 
Hooks and line, lures, bait, sinkers, gaff 
Explosives 
Ichthyeide 
Scuba equipment: spears, depth gauge, watch, 
mask, fins, suit, weights, tanks 
Fish shockers 
Traps, dredges 
Rope, cord 
Weighing scales, tape measure 
Echo sounder, thermometer 
Salinity gear, water quality kits 
Camera, film, close up lens, tripod 
Aquaria, oxygen tablets 
Waders, bathing shorts, weather clothes 
Cheesecloth, hypodermic syringe and needles 
Formalin, alcohol, alcoholometer 
Graduated cylinder 
Labels, notebooks, data sheets 
Stationery, collecting permit 
India ink, pens, pencils 
Identification books 
Maps, charts, pilot book, navigation gear 
Boats, oars, anchor, life preservers 
Engines, spare parts, fuel, lubricants, shear 
pins 
Floodlight, gas lanterns, flashlights 
Food, drink, matches, portable stove, 
utensils 
Camping gear, tent, sleeping bag 
Mosquito lotion 
Sunglasses, first-aid kit and book 
Ice drill, ice chisel, ice jigger 
Bottles, cans, drums, plastic bags 
Knives, scissors, scalpels, saw 
Soldering iron, hammer, nails, screw driver 
PRESERVING 
Containers 
Containers for fish specimens should ideally be unaffected by w r ater, 
formalin, and alcohol ; they should seal tightly but open easily, and each should 
have a mouth as wide as the container itself to admit broad fishes. Iron, 
brass, and copper containers are not suitable. Glass bottles and polyethylene 
bags, jars, and refuse cans are excellent. Plastic tops are preferable to metal 
