Starry Highlands; Zoo Med Creatures! Creatures Habitat Journal

Death by Fish Tanks

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Location
North Carolina, US
Started 7/18/2024

Originally called "Arid Duff," I decided to name it after one of my favorite moses, Star Moss(which makes up the habitats floor). The background is tree bark and Fern Moss. The main plant that stretches up into the canopy is some kind of weed. I don't know what it is, but it makes the tank look awesome! Currently there's only a few flies and some Isopods in here right now, plus a camera shy spider that leaves webs in the tanks canopy. But that'll change this spring.

(And yes, I know I misspelled "invertebrates" in the tag. I don't know how to change it.)
 

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4 Month Update(Outdated):
Found this really cool weed in the yard a few weeks back(before the picture was taken). It's spreading nicely. I'm sure the future spider will appreciate it.
 

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7 Month Update:
In 3 months, the weed transformed the tank into a forest! And I can't get enough of it! Spring can't come soon enough. I really want to get livestock for it!

With the abundant canopy growth of the mystery weed(now discovered to be Whorled Pennywort), the Star Moss this is looking under the weather.
 

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Starry Highlands; 10 Month Update:
•No more mystery spider webs...
•Added more springtails to ensure healthy excess food/waste disposal.
•The Pennywort seems to be dying back in some places. Mostly just the leaves. I wonder how the skate will change in the coming months. 😁
 

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Starry Highlands; 1 Year, 6 Month Update:
•Pennywort died off(removed)
•No visible pray insects besides springtails(rare)
•Replaces floor with Hypnum moss
•Reintroduced isopods(+ springtails and earthworms)
•Discovered second mystery spider hiding in the stump
 

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I gotta be honest: A caterpillar was not on my surprise vivarium creatures list! Certainly not an our cold kitchen🤣
 

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Many isopods came to the surface as the kitchen warmed up and collected in/on/around this cork stump. Problem is, that's the spider's house😅
 

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1 Year, 11 Month Update:
•Worms died off, but left awesome tunnels.
•Isopods died off, or died back. May get more, but I'm content just watching the tank change.
•New Jumping Spider came out of nowhere a few weeks back! Unlike the Big Butt Mystery spider, the jumper goes in the worm tunnels. I assume its been eating springtails.
•Big Butt Mystery Spider is missing. May be dead.
 

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Almost 2 Year Update:
•Noticed the umping spider was missing one day after i stopped seeing isopods. Found it in our bathroom.
•Got More Isopods
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