Fishscale cocaine is a refined and comparatively pure form of cocaine

Cocaine

Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...

. This description was likely inspired by the way that cocaine dealers use a fish scale to weigh out their cocaine due to immense quantities not able to be weighed on a triple beam scale. The etymology of this ascription is uncertain, though many contemporary popular culture references confirm its potency as a valid and relevant signifier. Ghostface Killah's

Ghostface Killah

Dennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...

 Fishscale

Fishscale

FishScale is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released March 28, 2006 on Def Jam in the United States. The album features guest appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as Ghostface Killah's Theodore Unit...

album is thusly titled.

Unlike particular strains of marijuana, fishscale cocaine is not associated with a specific geographic origin; this label refers, rather, only to the purity of the drug. Cocaine of this type should readily submit to facile atomization and granular submission. As with all cocaine, humidity renders the fishscale powder recalcitrant and of clumpy constitution.