Losing scales?

[Squirrelbuddies]

Odd question -- do fish lose their scales?

I have 9 young congo tetras (approx. 2 inches long each) and when I feed them it's a total feeding frenzy! Quite a sight to see.

Twice recently, I noticed one or two scales sinking down in the water. Looks like pale fish food --- but they spit it out. I think these are scales because they are somewhat transparent but a little shiney and shaped like a fish scale.

Is this normal? I checked them all out and I really do not see that any have obvious areas on their bodies that are missing scales.

 

[Paul_MTS]

knocking scales off happens all the time nothing to worry about at all.

 

[Fish Buddy]

Yea, the 20 year old goldfish that I am looking after always loose their scales. I find 2 or 3 every week when I clean the tank. I think all fish loose their scales (like we loose skin cells) but it is more noticeable on large fish (like adult goldfish).