Fig.3 First domain of the red snapper scale (left: ctenii; right: tip of the ctenii)

Fig.4 Second domain of the red snapper scale (striped pattern with teeth)

Fig.5 Third domain of the red snapper scale (interradial denticles)

Fig.1-5 show the morphology of the red snapper scale. The red snapper scale also has a "toothed" outer that is similar with the striped bass scale. Furthermore, the red snapper scale has three domains in the micrograph as well: one is featured the bony texture with the tooth-shaped ctenii (Fig.3). It should be pointed out that the tip the ctenii of the red snapper differs from that of the striped bass scale. The second one has striped pattern with teeth but no radii (Fig.4); and the third one has the interradial denticles. Additionally, in fig.4 and 5, impurities are found on the sample surface (green spots). In fig.5, protein is also found on the surface (blue spots).

Fig.6  AFM results of the red snapper scale sample, (left, 2D view; right, 3D view).

Fig.6 shows the height profile of a tooth the red snapper scale, obtained with AFM. From the figures, some "teeth" with a height about 4.0 μm are observed, which is also seen in the SEM image (see Fig.4). According to the right 3D view, it is more obvious to see the "tooth-shaped" pattern on the red snapper scale.