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Techniques
There are three basic mounting techniques for fish: skin mounting, false-head mounting and replica mounting. Skin mounting is when the whole fish is skinned and then the skin is stretched over a manikin form and preserved. Skin mounts are typically used for small warm-water fish. A false-head mounting is used when the natural head will shrink, distorting the mount. The body of the fish is skinned and mounted over a manikin, and attached to a resin head that is a replica of the original. A replica mounting is when a false manikin is painted to match the natural fish, but no natural elements are used. This is extremely common for large fish and saltwater fish.
Preservatives
Fish skin is naturally thin, so it is not necessary to treat the skin with a preservative before stretching it over the manikin. Most taxidermists still recommend treating the skin with a preservative to prevent deterioration over time. Commonly used preservatives include borax, pure-grain or denatured alcohol, and formaldehyde.
Adhesive
Adhesives are used both to glue the fish skin to the manikin, glue the manikin to the mounting board and in building up papier mache sections. The Home Book of Taxidermy and Tanning advises that you keep Dextrin paste, basic white glue and contact cement on your work bench at all times.
Challanges
According to North Dakota Outdoors Magazine, fish are the hardest sporting trophy animal to mount. This is because the skin is thin, and any error in the mounting shows dramatically. Because the fish's skin is designed to exist underwater, it shrinks as it dries and the body and fins may become hard to spread and disproportionate as it dries. Finally, it is a challenge because the fish, once deceased, loses its color and luster. Every inch of the fish must be painted to look life-like because it will turn a brown-grey color within hours of its death.