Removing fish scales is very simple; three little tricks get it done easily.

Removing scales with vinegar: Before scraping the fish scales, you might put a little vinegar into a basin of cold water, then soak the fish in the basin for a while, or directly rub the vinegar over the fish several times. After that, use a tool to scrape the scales and it will feel much easier.

Removing scales with rice wine: Besides vinegar, ordinary rice wine can also help scrape off fish scales. Just soak the fish in a basin of cold water beforehand, then add an appropriate amount of rice wine to the cold water. After waiting patiently for a while, take the fish out and scrape the scales with a scaling tool, and the scales will be very easy to scrape off cleanly.

Scraping the scales of hairtail: Hairtail scales are small and sticky, and are very hard to deal with when scraping. If you dip the hairtail in hot water at 80°C, then quickly put it into a basin of cold water, the alternation of hot and cold will make the hairtail scales fully open. At this point, simply use a clean cloth to wipe repeatedly against the direction in which the scales are arranged, and the scales can be removed completely.