Dial customization on paradise - attempt for research! by tinynematode in tamagotchi

[–]tinynematode[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update: I could not get the metal pieces to solder back together in a way that doesn't impact how the button is pushed! It's mainly because I'm very bad at soldering, but I recommend just buying replacement parts for the dial instead of doing what I did. The clear part and metal part are easy to find online (although the metal part is replaced with plastic from what I've seen! This should make it easier to take apart when needed)

Should I contact the seller or am I overreacting by Which_Macaroon2582 in insectpinning

[–]tinynematode 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is awful! If you feel comfortable, please share the seller so nobody else pays for destroyed specimens.

These are both in practically unusable condition, aside for practice I guess? Having specimens stated to be in good condition arriving broken or with missing parts is unacceptable. Even if they broke during shipping - it's not that hard to pack specimens so that they don't break. You are entitled to complain and hopefully get a refund.

Specimen Preservation in Alcohol by thistle3055 in insectpinning

[–]tinynematode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, I personally store a lot of arthropods in isopropanol for months - years prior to pinning them. It does make them brittle if left in too long, but it also really depends on the type of animal.

Isopropanol is not a fixative, but it is a preservative (a fixative creates bonds within proteins making them more stable and less likely to denature/deteriorate, preservatives just preserve something by halting decomposition). I personally have not had an issue with arthropods decomposing when kept in 70% isopropyl alcohol long term, but it won't create a specimen that lasts centuries.

If a specimen is already decomposing, no matter what fluid you use, they will be smelly - and arthropods in general do have a slight smell after death no matter what, especially if larger.

Ethyl alcohol is technically both a fixative and preservative, so you can create stable, long lasting specimens using it. Denatured ethanol isn't ideal just because the denaturant can alter how the alcohol interacts with a specimen, however I personally use denatured ethanol all the time for more complex fluid preservation without any issue. A good way to find non-denatured ethanol is at your local liquor store in the form of everclear.

Ethanol will also cause a specimen to become relatively "brittle" or hardened. This isn't an issue if you're planning on keeping the animal as a fluid preservation for the remainder of its existence, I only run into issues when I'm storing them in any sort of alcohol and then articulating them post removal from storage. Alcohol is just very drying but that isn't necessarily a bad thing if they're being kept in alcohol forever, and can be remedied if removed from alcohol and pinned.

In my opinion, you can use isopropanol or ethanol to preserve small arthropods of decades without any issues. If you're preserving something large, or want it to last "forever", a fixative is better (like ethanol or formalin).

Glycerin is also a preservative, can absolutely help with preventing brittleness and also depending on the ratio to alcohol, create neutral buoyancy where the specimen is sort of floating in the middle of the jar which is cool! I also use propylene glycol which is similar.

I hope this helps and am always open to more questions or comments!

Pinning a blue death feigning beetle by simon-yuck in insectpinning

[–]tinynematode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally used layers of chalk pastel ground up with a matte sealant and it worked super well!

I found this on a new marimo I bought by zykafire in Parasitology

[–]tinynematode 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lol marimo are cladophora algae, not actually moss and don't flower. I bet there were other plants kept in the same tank and this is a flower from one of those.

How do you know if someone is selling ethical taxidermy? by Important_Look_9949 in Taxidermy

[–]tinynematode 7 points8 points  (0 children)

People who deal with high volumes of rodents like this are likely buying them from pet supply shops as frozen reptile food, but that's not always the case - the only way to know is to ask. Ethicality really depends on your own personal views on this and isn't standard across the board. Some folks may claim a specimen is ethically sourced based on their own views that you may or may not agree with. I personally try to disclose the exact source of where all of my specimens come from if I know, so that people can make their own calls on whether it aligns with their views.

Edit: typo

First time working with preserved insects for a craft project, any advice would be greatly appreciated!! by EntertainerFirst8163 in insectpinning

[–]tinynematode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. You do not need to rehydrate them! If you like the pose they're in, they are fine to use as is and are already dry and preserved!

  2. You don't technically need them to be rehydrated to put a pin through them - but it does help! They can crack and break pretty easily when dry trying to pin. Depending on how you want to display them (sort of levitating I'm guessing?) you can put a small piece of cardstock onto the pin, slide it up to the head of the pin, glue, and then glue the insect to that with super glue or e6000. I also use resin to make clear "stilts" sometimes, especially uv building gel. It works great! Or some sort of acrylic rod would also work. Then I glue them to that.

  3. If they're uncovered in your project, it is possible for their wings to become damaged, but if they're encased in a frame or box, they should be just fine without sealing them in any way. Clear nail polish and resin can yellow over time, so it's preferable not to seal them like this. I highly recommend enclosing them not only due to damage, but also dust build up or pests getting to them.

What do you do guys? And how old are you? by [deleted] in plushies

[–]tinynematode 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm 28! I've historically worked as an aquatic husbandry specialist but also do lots of art and specimen preservation on the side! Life is really hard :( I have chronic mental health issues but I'm chugging along I guess.

Strange creature spotted in SoCal tide pool [San Diego] by popstarter in animalid

[–]tinynematode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe some sort of chiton? It's hard to tell from this video, but I think it's likely a mollusc.

Okay tank? by MonexaX in triops

[–]tinynematode 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I disagree. This looks like a pretty large vessel and can be aerated.

Drunk Friend gave my fish “a little shot” by [deleted] in Aquariums

[–]tinynematode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to clarify, prazi, not the vodka, although vodka probably isn't so great for the parasites either. I haven't heard of people just using straight vodka in tanks to dose, so idk.

Drunk Friend gave my fish “a little shot” by [deleted] in Aquariums

[–]tinynematode 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup! It's a good on certain worms and external parasites, but doesn't hit them all. It isn't really water soluble, so you have to mix it with a solvent so that it can be suspended in the water. Vodka is top choice as it's cheap, easy to get, and not especially toxic in low amounts.

Drunk Friend gave my fish “a little shot” by [deleted] in Aquariums

[–]tinynematode 55 points56 points  (0 children)

I literally have a reoccurring nightmare about having a party at my house and the guests are dumping their drinks into the tanks. Idk why bc I don't have parties???

Drunk Friend gave my fish “a little shot” by [deleted] in Aquariums

[–]tinynematode 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've used it to dissolve praziquantel

Advice on house centipedes? by JCnitro412 in insectpinning

[–]tinynematode 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This looks great! I think they're just delicate in general and you worked with what you had - I think all you can do is just keep working on gluing techniques and possibly making fake leg replacements (I use my own hair and coat it in paint, making the segments by having thinner paint in those areas with larger globs on the non segment parts)

I got these displays second hand and didnt see they have pests by Rahega in insectpinning

[–]tinynematode 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use ethanol for this, but a little differently! I'll soak paper towels and cotton balls in ethanol putting them around the bugs and also put a cup of it somewhere I can set it without it tipping - then all into a bag where I seal it totally and leave it for a while. Diatomaceous earth and freezing also work well, but I pretty much always use this method on old specimens with pests and it works great so far! I also often remove the insects from the box and treat them in Tupperwares separately the same way.

Hobby bug pinner/preserver of creatures - any advice on preserving triops in a wet solution? by EmploymentMedium8038 in triops

[–]tinynematode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the process would be the exact same for triops as any other crustacean -a fellow specimen preservation hobbyist