Fish n' Stuff

fish noises aren’t nearly as pretty as birdsong though, it’s mostly grunts, clicks, pops, and squeaks. but it’s still REALLY FUCKIN COOL, plus can birds sing underwater? no. no they can’t. git gud, birds.

Watch a single cell become a complete organism in six pulsing minutes of timelapse

Native to central and southern Europe, the amphibious alpine newt breeds in shallow water, where its larvae are born, hatch and feed on plankton, before sprouting legs and moving to land.

This timelapse video from the Dutch director Jan van IJken tracks the development of a single-celled zygote into the hatched larva of an alpine newt.

Captured in stunning detail at microscopic scales, Becoming is a remarkable look at the process of cell division and differentiation, whence all animals – from newts to humans – come. For more awe-inspiring biology from van IJken, watch The Art of Flying.

Hey, there. :)

Really, the 3-5 years is almost a myth now, due to today’s genetics. You’re lucky if you have a betta live to be 2 years old. Considering that bettas, especially large-finned varieties, can be 6 months to a year old at the store before you even get them home, that’s why it seems to mostly be that you only have them for a year.

Larger bettas like kings/half-Giants and Giants have shorter lifespans. Short-finned don’t necessarily live longer lives than large-finned, though – there’s so much more to it than that. Large-finned bettas are prone to fin issues, which can shorten lifespans if not treated properly. Yet, a regular halfmoon might still outlive a marble or dragonscale plakat because of those genes increasing the risk of tumours.

Overall, though, it seems like your regular run-of-the-mill red and blue bettas, especially veiltails, seem to live longest. Probably because they’ve been tampered with the least since they’re just common varieties.

Wilds tend to live longer, yes, because we haven’t interfered with them as much. In my personal experience, they’re SO MUCH hardier! I’ve had nowhere near the issues with my wilds that I do with my domestics. I had one albimarginata live to be over 3 years old. My others are nearing 2 ½ and still going strong. I lose my domestics a lot earlier than them under the same care.

The subject of using a bioactive terrarium for a reptile has been widely debated in many of the herp keeping communities. As someone who has now used an acrylic plastic enclosure, a rack system, an RUB and now a Bioactive, I have put together some of my findings in the use, function, and care of a Bioactive specifically here. 

Please keep in mind that a bioactive enclosure is not for everyone or every pet! While they are lovely and relatively easy to set up, they require some work to maintain, and some animals (burrowers especially, such as Blue Tongue Skink and some Hognoses) may only destroy all your hard work by unearthing your plants. Also, some omni/carnivores might snack on your cleanup crew, so if you do decide to go the bioactive route, please be careful in selecting which insects you put in it, according to what animal will be living in the space with them!

Overall, Bioactives are my favorite kinds of terrariums to keep- and in fact I’ve decided to start making and selling them to others as enclosures for their pets or just as lovely additions to a shelf.

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PROS FIRST-

* Very easy to set up * Versatile in terms of which plants one can use! Vertical or horizontal cages, big or small, have different lists of plants that will thrive in them, many of them beautiful and low maintenance. Plants can also vary according to temperatures needed, humidity levels, and substrates * Supplies an excellent source of mental and physical enrichment for the animal * Displays beautifully * Enables the owner to observe their animal’s behavior in a more natural and low stress way * If worried about a reptile who leads with their tongue (Bearded dragon perhaps) potentially ingesting substrate, putting down a layer of large grade pea gravel and moss on top of the bioactive layers doesn’t hurt the plants at all, and looks lovely * Cleanup crews help with the maintenance of the cage for you. Depending on which insects are introduced, help to reduce the chance of mold in high humidity environments, breakdown pet waste, and keep oxygen in the soil for the roots of the plants to thrive.

CONS NEXT-

* A little on the pricey side and may require plant specific lighting installed to keep them healthy * Very heavy, hard to move the enclosure once it’s fully planted and full * Plants, depending on species, will require maintenance. Mostly self sustaining still means you may have to prune, trim, and train your plants to keep them under control * Plants might get parasites or pests, which will need to be treated very carefully to avoid poisoning your pet who lives among them * Cannot rearrange the enclosure once planted, so you have to make sure you’re happy with the setup before you finish it * If your animal gets hurt or sick, you cannot change the substrate to paper towels or tiles to better keep wounds and such clean without destroying the bioactive. The animal would have to be moved to a different space until recovered * Some animals might nibble or destroy plants/moss, so you must be careful about what you put in there. Research must be done to avoid toxic plants or fragile plants that will break under the animal’s weight/die if chewed on

COST/SUPPLY BREAKDOWN

Substrate; First layer- Large grade pea gravel, hydroballs, anything that will hold form and act as a reservoir for water. You want it at least 1.5 inches deep depending on cage size. ((10-30$ USD Depending on what you choose)) Second layer- Mesh/cheesecloth/anything porous and soft to act as a dividing layer between substrate and reservoir. be careful to select something that will let water through with little to no molding! ((4-10 $)) Third layer- More variety here. Use any kind of potting soil that has no fertilizer in it, or a fertilizer that will break down very quickly. Avoid anything with perlite in it. Mix the potting soil with orchid bark and peat moss/sphagnum moss/ things like that to add space for air and break up the texture for the plants. Make sure it is between 4-6 inches deep for the roots to flourish- if planting a jungle/rainforest/more humid enclosure. You can also create substrates for desert environments using a combination of clay, sand, rocks, tiles, and hardening play sand to carve burrows out of and make a nice, firm ground layer with pockets for succulents and tougher plants. ((10-30$ Per Item depending on what you choose))

Plants; LOTS OF OPTIONS HERE- Choose your plants based on the maximum size they will get and the size of the enclosure. For example, maybe don’t put a Mother In Law’s Tongue in a horizontal and relatively short cage or the blades will break on the top. Size is important as well as strength. Pick plants strong enough to support the full weight of your fully grown animal, or else pick plants that can easily recover from losing pieces.  Toxicity is a priority! Pick plants that will not hurt your animal if ingested or rubbed against, and know the numbers for exotic pet vets in your area to call in case of an emergency! Its best to get starts or adults. don’t start from seeds or you’ll be waiting a long time to see your enclosure get to a habitable state. Make sure you give your plants at least a month to settle in before introducing your animal into them, this will also give the clean up crews time to settle and for you to make final environment adjustments. ((10-50$ USD Depending on your choice of plants and how many are in there))

Cleanup Crews

Springtails, roaches, red wigglers, and isopods all make excellent cleanup crews for your tank. Any combination of them is wonderful but I personally use isopods and springtails together, as they leave each other alone and have different jobs. Make sure not to buy them from bait shops, as many have been treated with chemicals or may have parasites. 

Feed them by sprinkling in some flaky fishfood under a log or rock or the waterbowl. You can also use rotting leaves from outside (but put them in the freezer for at least a week before using to kill anything in them), or bury a small piece of potato in the substrate for them to snack on. Do not overfeed, they don’t need much! ((20-40$ Depending on what species and how many you need, plus the shipping to get them to your house alive and quickly))

Lighting

Depending on the species of animal, you may need UVB/Sun bulbs for lighting, but you will also need a fluorescent grow bulb for your plants if they’re kept in a darker area of the house. ((15-30$ If you also need the fixture, and depending on brand/quality))

I have a screen cage but I want a bioactive, what should I do?

You have a few options here, friend! You can put in a deep plastic tray in the bottom to hold the substrate and water (or wood, but be sure to seal or cover it so it doesn’t warp or mold), you can mount planter ledges on the walls along with vine/climbing plant species, or you can use air plants.

Air plants come in a huge variety, and just need to be gently attached to the side of the screen or in the corners. They do not require any soil, and only need to be lightly misted when dry to sustain themselves. They’re an attractive and interesting take on bioactives.  Also, your clean up crews will be limited if you choose to not do the tray/substrate bottom layers. Please be aware of this, you might not get to use them if you do not have the substrate layers at the bottom. This is totally fine, but you will have to clean more and monitor your plants closely for pests like aphids. 

Conclusion

Generally speaking, Bioactives are an incredibly rewarding experience, but they do absolutely take some thought and work. They aren’t for everyone or every pet, but if you choose to put in the time, they make beautiful additions to your herp keeping experience. Always be sure to do your research on the needs of your pet and adjust accordingly!

I have this fish tank. A glass box of water I put sand and rocks in. But the point of a fish tank are the things that are alive. I have plants that reach outstretched hands to the light and grow to the barrier between the clear fluid they live in and the clear gas we breathe. In one single leaf so much chemistry takes place, photosynthesis makes ungraspable light into life supporting substance.

And in my fish tank I have a fish. A fish that can be found lifeless in cups in pet stores, but I’ve see this fish thrive. I’ve seen him change color due to jumping genes. I’ve seen him play in the filter meaning he makes decisions. Something so small exists and lives and makes choices. It baffles me, truly. Such vibrant color that I can only compare to something man made and yet it was nature that did it first.

I see this little world that I have placed on my shelf. Cared for by me; dependent on me. It amazes me the human emotion I have for them, and how far humanity has gone that I can dose the tank and manage it on a delicate scale.

It’s possible to provide enrichment for your animals without taking the step toward bioactive. You don’t have to change your current husbandry in a major way to make a huge difference in the lives of your animals.

In this post I’m going to briefly discuss bioactive enclosures and why they should not always be the “end goal” for every hobbyist. It is entirely possible to provide a very enriching environment for your pet without going bioactive. This post assumes you have an understanding of what enrichment is and what it isn’t. Unfortunately, “enrichment” has become a bit of a buzzword lately and is often taken out of context or used incorrectly by well-meaning hobbyists. For a detailed explanation of enrichment (behavioral, environmental, etc) I really recommend reading this post by rainbowsnakes. This post is probably going to be long, but bear with me.

(pictured: a 75g bioactive bearded dragon enclosure)

Throughout the story, there is constant clashing of morals and values, and some characters come to realize that the answer they have to a problem is no more right that the person they’re fighting against.

[To the Seven Sages] “I can empathize with some of what you say, but I can’t forgive the way you reject everything else!” ~Drayden

“It is the way of the universe to take from excess and fill emptiness. Taking Pokémon from people is restoring balance to nature!” ~Zinzolin

“Originally, Pokemon lived in the wild. So is it right to contain them like this?” ~The Ace Trainer

“You have two options. Challenge me to a fight you can’t win, or leave this place and watch the birth of a new world where Pokémon are free of people!” ~N

“Since I couldn’t become the hero and obtain the legendary Pokémon myself…I prepared someone for that purpose—N! He’s nothing more than a freak without a human heart.” ~Ghetsis

“Pokémon cannot speak. People may hurt Pokémon even more by imposing their selfish thoughts on them. But, no matter what, Pokémon and people believe in each other, need each other, and will continue to live together…” ~Drayden

“If the king of team plasma rules the world, battles will disappear, and disputes will end! Isn’t that a great vision?” ~a Team Plasma Grunt

A lot of them understand this in the end

[At Ghetsis] “HE is the one without a human heart!” ~Cheren

“Those who left Team Plasma and are behaving with respect and understanding toward Pokémon… Them, please forgive! However, those who won’t interact with Pokémon in a kind and honest way… Even I will never forgive them!” ~Bronius

“No matter how many battles I fight, I don’t know what strength is. Perhaps you can find the answer.” ~Brycen

“The legend of Unova is about Pokémon and people working together to build a new world! The message is that simple and that strong. If changing the world makes you a hero, anyone can become a hero. As each of us changes what is in our power to change, so the world itself changes.” ~Giallo

“Strength and strength alone is what matters in this world. So I believed, until I met Alder here [on Route 5]. But, winning in Pokémon battles isn’t all there is to life. Once I learned that lesson, my eyes were opened to many different things. We all have our own brand of strength, people and Pokémon both. The strength to make our dreams a reality, the strength to protect what we hold most dear… Why do I think this way now?” ~Cheren

“The longer my journey continued, the more unsure I became. All I kept meeting were Pokémon and people who communicated with one another and helped one another. That was why I needed to confirm my beliefs by battling with you. I wanted to confront you hero-to-hero. I needed that more than anything.” ~N

There’s symbolism hidden in almost every quote, even down to the most minute details

“This lighthouse shines with the light of freedom. Only authorized personnel may enter.” ~sign outside the Liberty Garden

“That room was the world that was provided to our lord N… I don’t feel anything, even when I go into the room… But you may feel something.” ~Shadow Triad

“‘Eyes brimming with dark flame, this man rejected everything other than himself in order to bring about one singular justice…’ That’s part of a novel I’m writing. I was inspired by the challenger who was just here, and somehow I got a little sad…“ ~Shauntal

Game Freak was working on generation five before HGSS, before Platinum. They wanted to make a Pokemon game that sent a message to fans, and made them think about the Pokemon world - and even ours - on a philosophical level. Unfortunately though, most people failed to notice the theme behind every word spoken in Black and White, to see the lesson taught in this masterpiece of a Pokemon game.

“We’re all different and we should do the things that we can do. There are as many truths and ideals as there are people and Pokémon.” ~Cheren

“Change your perspective– and the reality changes.” ~Child on Route 3

[To Bianca] “You know, there are many people in this world. There are people whose way of thinking may be completely different from yours. Sometimes, this means you may get hurt.” ~Elesa

“I couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t believe there were Pokémon that liked people. Because, up until that moment, I’d never known a Pokémon like that.” ~N

“N has been separated from people since he was young. He was brought up with Pokémon… Pokémon that were betrayed, mistreated, and hurt by bad people… Ghetsis deliberately brought only those poor Pokémon closer to N. N was touched by their plight, and started pursuing his ideal/truth, thinking only of Pokémon. N’s heart is pure and innocent. But there is nothing more beautiful or terrifying than innocence.” ~Concordia

If you’re one of those players who disliked generation five, go back and play now that you know what to look for. Go back and see that there is brutality in beauty, pain inside truth, difference within ideals, and that one simple question has many correct answers. Even something as simple as a Pokemon game has complexity.

I think Princess Zelda lost her pregnancy :( Or else she gave birth and killed the babies, which is particularly sad because Samus is the one who impregnated her. At any rate she isn’t pregnant anymore.

To recap for anyone who missed it, Samus was found dead behind the castle a couple of weeks ago. Link died not long after that, so it’s just been Zelda, Bayonetta, and Pikachu chilling out with some snails. 

Of course, none of those three can impregnate each other so no one is pregnant or coupled off right now. Pikachu’s babies are growing well. There are six still living. There were seven, but one escaped and Bayonetta ate it.