Waters by Klaus was inspired by a need for premium-quality fish blanks, fish reproductions, and habitat elements that reduce shop time and increase realism for professional fish taxidermists. Through our sister brands—Antlers by Klaus and Wilderness by Klaus—we’ve served the wildlife displays industry for over 35 years. We’ve created hundreds of fish displays for corporate, retail, and private clients and evaluated thousands of molded fish blanks and fish replicas along the way.
Many options on the market require extensive (expensive) re-working to be suitable for high-end fish mounts. After comparing notes with dozens of taxidermists and peers, the common problems were clear: inaccurate anatomy, casting defects, order-to-order inconsistency, low-quality scale detail, minimal inner-mouth and tooth structure, poor-fitting gills, and thick, inflexible fins.
We applied our molding experience, recruited seasoned fish experts (and a fish biologist), and invested three years of R&D into methods, materials, and techniques that elevate fish replica quality while keeping your workflow fast and predictable.
Here at Waters by Klaus, our growing collection of fish reproduction blanks feature the following benefits:
Accurate Anatomy
Every reproduction starts with a real specimen—casted while fresh—then refined to eliminate defects and captured in an artist-grade, commercial-quality mold. The result is true-to-species anatomy that paints cleanly and reads as lifelike under studio lights and in natural light.
360 Degree Quality
Our fish blanks are engineered for left-facing, right-facing, and 360° display from the same blank. Pedestal, shelf, or freestanding fish mounts all present clean silhouettes without compromising seam quality.
Order to Order Consistency
We use first-generation, commercial-quality molds for every reproduction. A preserved Master Copy is used to create new molds before any quality loss occurs—avoiding the detail degradation common with second- and third-generation remolding. You get consistent scale detail and fit on every order.
Perfect Mouth Fit
Open Mouth, Closed Mouth, and (on select models) Strike Mouth options are molded as systems—each body is paired to its head choice. Because a fish’s body shape changes as the mouth opens, our approach ensures accurate geometry and a precise head-to-body fit for convincing fish reproductions.
Inner-Mouth and Tooth Detail
Our process captures fine inner-mouth textures and tooth structure for premium realism. Paint holds, washes, and iridescents track naturally, accelerating finishing on high-visibility views and competition-grade fish mounts.
Realistic, Easily Shapeable Fins
We engineered fins for realism and control. Warm-water species feature clear, translucent fins; cold-water species feature opaque white fins. With gentle heat, fins shape easily to match your pose and reference.
Competitive Pricing
When you factor saved hours in seam work and prep, our fish replicas and ready-to-paint options deliver exceptional value for taxidermists. Spend more time painting and less time repairing.
Our Assembled fish reproductions are truly ready-to-paint. They will not require the additional repairs or touch-up so commonly required in the industry. Our Unassembled reproductions will come together with a precision fit you’ll appreciate.
Let’s build something lifelike together
From world class fish blanks to habitat accessories, the Waters by Klaus will help you get the quality products needed to build your next display. Our dedicated team is here before, during, and after the build. We back our world-class products with world-class service.