posted 11-05-2006 03:28 PM            

So here are my two favorites.

posted 11-06-2006 10:33 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by OvertheMoonforIM:
And OvertheMoon!

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See, it's actually a Bunny pounding Mochi with a pestle. See? A bunny.

posted 11-06-2006 10:39 PM            

LOOK

posted 11-06-2006 10:44 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Yero the Hero:

See, it's actually a Bunny pounding Mochi with a pestle. See? A bunny.

[This message has been edited by Yero the Hero (edited 11-06-2006).]

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posted 11-06-2006 10:50 PM               

&....

posted 11-06-2006 11:08 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Mistress Hibbins:

My eyes.

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posted 11-07-2006 03:51 AM               

And following in MH's footsteps:

My eye. And yes, that is the real shade of green

posted 11-08-2006 06:29 PM               

here is the website: http://www.maurajoylustig.com/

i am not in anyway trying to 'product placement' or whatever
her stuff on here. i just think that alot of you would REALLY
enjoy looking at her work. its done a style called 'encaustic'.
you can read about it on the site. if you want, she has a
guestbook you can sign...i know she would like to hear more
feedback. let me know what you think....she has really improved since
i first met her.

posted 11-08-2006 10:02 PM            

And in honor of holidays?

posted 11-09-2006 05:26 PM               

In honor of my new, soon-to-be adopted pet:

Of course, you all know, that it is highly irresponsible to keep a Siamese Fighting Fish in a vase with a plant.

posted 11-09-2006 06:13 PM               

In nature the Betta lives on a diet that consists predominantly of insects and insect larvae. In fact, Bettas contribute significantly in controlling mosquitoes that abound in their native habitat. The Betta's digestive tract is geared for meat. Its upturned mouth is designed to grab insects that have fallen into the water. Although they may be observed picking for morsels on plants and rocks, they are not bottom feeders by nature. A diet consisting of vegetable matter may keep them alive for a while, but it is not natural or healthy. Over time they will slowly be starved of the proper nutrients, and more easily fall victim to disease.

Another factor that has been completely overlooked in the Lily-Betta combination is the element of water temperature. The primary reason Bettas in small bowls are often listless is because the water temperature is too low. Bettas are native to countries such as Thailand where the climate is hot and moist. The ideal water temperature for the Betta is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Although they can survive at lower temperatures, they become lethargic and may even refuse to eat. Unless you live in a very warm climate, the water in a vase cannot be maintained in the upper 70's to lower 80's. Subjecting the Betta to cool temperatures is the same as if you or I had to live in a house where the temperature that didn't rise above 60 degrees.

Lastly, there is the issue of how the betta breathes. Like other fish, the Betta derives oxygen from the water. However, it also has special organ that allows it to breathe air directly. Its upturned mouth allows it to easily gulp air from the surface, and therefore survive in waters that are low in oxygen. If the Lily vase is not properly set up, there will be insufficient open space at the top of the water for the Betta to reach the air. As the oxygen dissolved in the water is used up, the Betta will need to breathe air more often. Should it have trouble reaching the surface, it may become deprived of the oxygen it needs to survive.

The Peace Lily-Betta combination is clearly a popular fad, but it is neither natural nor healthy for the fish. A dog or cat owner would never consider shutting their pet in a small closet with minimal heat, food, and air. The Betta should not be treated any less humanely.(Sharpe, About.com)

posted 11-09-2006 06:18 PM            

Bettas are labyrinthine fish, which means they have a special organ that allows them to breathe air directly from the surface. Those peace lily/plant set-ups usually block the surface completely, so they can't reach the surface, and the plant also prevents adequate oxygen exchange between the air and water. Bettas survive in those situations only because they have an extraordinary ability to persist in low oxygen environments. But they are by no means happy campers in those situations -- it can be pretty miserable, especially if the water is not changed often enough.

Bettas also love heated water and large spaces, something else that usually surprises people....

Didn't mean to lecture, but fishkeeping is a hobby of mine ....and I have a special fondness for bettas....

EDIT: Oops, YtH, I just duplicated most of what you already said! Oh well.

posted 11-09-2006 06:23 PM               

Okay, I have a question for you (if you wouldn't mind answering):

I am going to adopt a betta soon, and I have since prepared my tank. The temperature is around 80 degrees and it is a 20 gallon tank. Iam only getting one male betta, and I was wondering if filtration was necessary, or if I could just change a percentage of the water in certain intervals of time.

You see, I already had a betta once that lived for a year and a half in a 2 gallon tank woth no filtration, but since I have cared for a freshwater tropical aquarium (filtered, obviously, I had 17 fish at one point) and an octopus (a mighty hard task indeed), I didn't know what to do.

EDIT: Ha, don't worry, your explanation was better, considering you didn't copy it from a website

[This message has been edited by Yero the Hero (edited 11-09-2006).]

posted 11-09-2006 06:40 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Yero the Hero:
I am going to adopt a betta soon, and I have since prepared my tank. The temperature is around 80 degrees and it is a 20 gallon tank. I am only getting one male betta, and I was wondering if filtration was necessary, or if I could just change a percentage of the water in certain intervals of time.

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With just the one fish, that would probably be fine....I would watch things closely for the first 6 weeks or so, checking nitrite levels until the tank cycles....but still, 20-gallons is pretty big for one fish, so i don't think you would have any problems as long as you change some water regularly....

You could also add some real plants to the set-up, which would provide some natural filtration....but then you'd have to worry about lighting requirements & hardware, and that might be more than you want to take on....

Sounds fun! Your betta will love it -- I once had a betta all by itself in a 37-gallon and that was, to this day, the happiest fish I've ever seen....

posted 11-09-2006 06:57 PM               

Yes, the octopus was quite a sight...she (or he, actually, considering he didn't lay eggs) tried to escape once or twice. But, he lived for about 8 months, which I feel is pretty good.

posted 11-09-2006 07:36 PM               

It's awfully cumbersome to scroll constantly to read the messages.

posted 11-09-2006 07:46 PM               

Helen's eyes ----

Helen's eyes with her glasses on ----

edit: WHOA! dark circles much! geez, i work too much and sleep too little. meh!

posted 11-09-2006 09:26 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Yero the Hero:
Yes, the octopus was quite a sight...she tried to escape once or twice.

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