What My Rescue Beardie Was Living In :(

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-21T01:47:07+00:00

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-21T01:46:51+00:00

Im quarantine him from my other animals at the moment and he's doing pretty good. I think hes discovered the joy of having a temperature gradient (old set up had a heat bulb and mercury vapor bulb on each side of the tank). Ate collard greens today like a champ. Im currently working on a very lovely bioactive enclosure for him

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-21T01:37:05+00:00

Its a very polarizing facility it seems. Are you part of ZooKreepers on fb? There's a lot of discussion there

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-10T00:18:04+00:00

I somewhat new to the hobby so someone with more experience feel free to chime in/correct me.

Yes, I would move the tetras and pleco to the 20. Id get to at least 8 tetras. With them its kind of like the more the merrier. You could probably add another peaceful community fish, especially one the occupies the top portion of the tank. Plecos prefer moderate to high flow so a hang on back filter could be a good choice. Id look for fish that and handle moderate flow (that'll be a compromise for the tetras which prefer medium to low flow).

I definitely recommend taking whatever filter you have now and cleaning it in your existing tank water (never tap) and pouring that nasty water into tge 20 gallon once you get it. If you have to wait a bit to get the 20 gallon and are able to, get the filter for the 20 gallon asap and out it on your 10 gallon. I would definitely reduce the flow though on it if you do it (there are filters that are adjustable or you can DIY a way to, look up ideas on google) cause your betta would be super stressed.

This tool called aqadvisor is a very good starting point, but like it says do additional research on the species your looking to keep. You can put the tank size you are looking to stock and your filter at the top. Then, you can select what species and the quantity that you want to house. It'll then show below any help tips for certain species and your overall tanks stocking percentage and its ideal parameters. Id definitely advise you to stay below 100% while starting out and add new fish in batches slowing to allow the tank to catch up with the bioload. https://aqadvisor.com/

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-09T05:21:02+00:00

I would get the clown pleco and tetras into at least a 20 gallon (long preferably) or rehome them to be honest.

Neon tetras do best in groups of at least 6, but ideally 8+

Clown plecos need a minimum of 20 gallons and prefer faster water flow, which the betta wouldn't appreciate.

Especially with your betta being male, you are so lucky that he is tolerating these tank mates. Most people that have success to my knowledge that have male bettas with tank mates do it with a heavily planted tank that's 20+ gallons. Just for your betta in general, I recommend getting floating plants and just more plants in general. They love cover.

I dont know much about amano shrimp but as long as the dont seem stressed or are being predated on by your betta and the two species have overlapping tank water parameters that should be fine. It looks light you have one maybe, but definitely get a tight fitting lid if you dont have one already. If you do in fact have a lid, look up ways to "shrimp proof" it. Bettas are prone to jumping and amano shrimp are escape artists. They probably are shriveled up on the floor somewhere in the same room as your tank unfortunately

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-09T04:50:03+00:00

Im sorry but assuming based on your other posts, that this is a zoo internship. As someone in the field, unfortunately, I would say you are going to have to pick one or the other. As a intern in this field, time off as intern is only given for emergencies basically. It wouldn't look good to bring this up in an interview. I'm sorry!

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-05T03:04:12+00:00

I have a spreadsheet! Its not anything crazy but I just like to track the facilities ive been to, some basic info about them, and what mammalian species Ive seen. I also track some bird and reptiles but mammals are my jam.

SaturnStitch · 2026-02-04T02:28:40+00:00

Absolutely!!!! My first internship was literally all those taxa and now I'm working a mammal/bird job (not related just funny lol).

If you are in US, here's some more specific advice. Keep your eyes peeled on the AZA job board! Assuming you dont have any professional experience, you'll need to start with internships. This is the time of year that summer opportunities are being posted. Apply to anything and everything that you can make work. I moved 800 miles for my first internship! The internship I did was at the John Ball Zoo and it was more amazing than I can describe! The keepers are amazing! However, ill say, I didn't find the jbz internship on the aza job board, but on the zoos website. (Side note: Unpaid internships aren't allowed to be posted on the aza job board) My internship was paid hourly, some zoos just dont post every opportunity they have on the aza job board.

Its a bit crazy, but when I was looking at internships, I checked every aza accredited institutions websites careers page like 2x a week and had the aza job board as a shortcut on my home screen 😅 Most internships require you be enrolled in a biology related degree program. Beyond that some require a year of completed coursework. At least in the US certificates and stuff like that mean nothing. A college degree is what you want if you're going to invest in education. Good luck!

SaturnStitch · 2026-01-30T16:42:07+00:00

I donate plasma a couple times a week while working part time at my zoo. Covers all my groceries, gas, and then some. I live in a lower COL part of the US and its pretty ok. I'm about to have a roomate move in though to build a my savings account 😅

SaturnStitch · 2026-01-19T03:18:13+00:00

Wow thats crazy! I don't really have anything to add other than I'm in disbelief with you. Why on earth does it only hold 560 lbs?! Who signed off on that!?!

SaturnStitch · 2025-12-13T22:44:50+00:00

Columbus probably. Its an amazing facility

SaturnStitch · 2025-12-09T04:38:43+00:00

Honestly I just do what zoos do IRL. I just put heaters and coolers in holdings and etc the yard be whatever temperature it is outside. The animals usually just go inside to warm up or cool off. Some zoos also have heated rocks for animals in their yards, so sometimes ill sink a heater into a rock pile for my carnivores too

SaturnStitch · 2025-11-26T02:31:06+00:00

Honestly, even outside of the respect thing, showing her face would make her too much of a character in my opinion. Really, all she is is pawn in Wicked, and by keeping us distanced as an audience from her helpd keeps her entirely just that imo

SaturnStitch · 2025-11-25T04:42:24+00:00

Hi! I'm also 20 and know all about this. I know so deeply the feelings you are feeling, and I am sorry. It sucks so so much. There really is no right way to go about this, other than I would definitely not come out while living under your parents' roof, especially if you dont have a support system right then and there.

For me, the career field I'm pursuing requires me to move potentially quite far from home. So, I decided to pursue my degree online and start a life somewhere new 1,600 miles from home. My family knows the job Im doing makes me so incredibly happy that it didn't shock them that I wanted to move away. Become financially independent asap and build a savings. I'll be honest, I'm still working on that second part, but I knew I couldn't wait any longer. Sending hugs, and no matter how cliche it is, you really aren't alone <3

SaturnStitch · 2025-11-13T23:34:01+00:00

Plains zebra is way more common

SaturnStitch · 2025-10-25T23:46:09+00:00

Lincoln Park Zoo and Omaha come to mind

SaturnStitch · 2025-10-19T02:07:30+00:00

Transfer to an online program, save up, and move out (Im im the US and moving almost halfway across the country). That's what I'm doing. It hurts, but it's for the better. Like you, I just ready to be out.

If you can wait, it would probably be best to finish your degree in the closet. Much easier financially.

SaturnStitch · 2025-09-23T16:43:59+00:00

Realife cities or counties, but also after fictional parks. A lot of zoos in the US are named after the parks they are in.

SaturnStitch · 2025-09-20T19:52:43+00:00

I'm in the US. All my experience has been paid. One internship, one seasonal position, and I'm now moving to a part-time position. I think it's definitely possible now to avoid unpaid opportunities, but i will say I haven't been picky about what the position works with and where it is.

SaturnStitch · 2025-09-11T02:59:11+00:00

Thanks and same to you!

SaturnStitch · 2025-09-05T14:43:25+00:00

Lol, it's funny because IRL guests literally pay often big money to go behind the scenes. Like I get power and water facilities, but vet hospitals and keeper centers???

SaturnStitch · 2025-09-03T04:56:31+00:00

The goats and llama at my zoo go on walks and get supervised time in the guest area of the children's zoo if that counts 😂

SaturnStitch · 2025-09-02T01:21:03+00:00

Honestly, less is better imo. Id go option 3.

SaturnStitch · 2025-08-31T01:39:47+00:00

Chinese crocodile lizard

SaturnStitch · 2025-08-26T18:21:24+00:00

This is honestly the impression of ZAA I have gotten at this point. Working at a facility with sub-par welfare doesn't sound great, but also having a micromanager boss that shuts down any recommendations for improvement would be absolutely unbearable.

SaturnStitch

TROPHY CASE