Strange query: preserving a dead fish

[SueAndHerZoo]

I'm going out on a limb here and risking some bashing and negative comments but considering all of us reefers are a little "out there" maybe I won't?

I hatched a bamboo shrimp from the egg. Taught him to hand-feed, got him weaned from octopus to shrimp, built a relationship where I could tap on the glass and he'd know it was time to come to the surface to get fed, etc. Yup, I got attached, this one was a beauty. I went to the west coast for 6 days to visit grandkids and left my husband in charge of all my pets (including two saltwater tanks). I got home to find about $900 worth of fish losses in ONE of the tanks.... still not sure what went wrong and probably never will. But the one that broke my heart was my shark.

So onto my strange query: Is there any way to preserve this guy, possibly in resin or something, and have him be a part of the decor in that tank? I can't bring myself to flush him or bury him so he's in a jar of saltwater in my freezer. I'd even consider a taxidermist but I'd really like him to be a part of my tank, especially since I bought and set this tank up just for him.
Sue

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Taxidermist. Keep him on or near it. Regardless, all paths go through a taxidermist.

 

[bluemon]

I'm going out on a limb here and risking some bashing and negative comments but considering all of us reefers are a little "out there" maybe I won't?

I hatched a bamboo shrimp from the egg. Taught him to hand-feed, got him weaned from octopus to shrimp, built a relationship where I could tap on the glass and he'd know it was time to come to the surface to get fed, etc. Yup, I got attached, this one was a beauty. I went to the west coast for 6 days to visit grandkids and left my husband in charge of all my pets (including two saltwater tanks). I got home to find about $900 worth of fish losses in ONE of the tanks.... still not sure what went wrong and probably never will. But the one that broke my heart was my shark.

So onto my strange query: Is there any way to preserve this guy, possibly in resin or something, and have him be a part of the decor in that tank? I can't bring myself to flush him or bury him so he's in a jar of saltwater in my freezer. I'd even consider a taxidermist but I'd really like him to be a part of my tank, especially since I bought and set this tank up just for him.
Sue

The only good way is to preserve the specimen in formaldehyde.

I guess you can do it like you do with food, and dry it (and rays and sharks dry this way better) but that seems counterintuitive

 

[MnFish1]

I'm going out on a limb here and risking some bashing and negative comments but considering all of us reefers are a little "out there" maybe I won't?

I hatched a bamboo shrimp from the egg. Taught him to hand-feed, got him weaned from octopus to shrimp, built a relationship where I could tap on the glass and he'd know it was time to come to the surface to get fed, etc. Yup, I got attached, this one was a beauty. I went to the west coast for 6 days to visit grandkids and left my husband in charge of all my pets (including two saltwater tanks). I got home to find about $900 worth of fish losses in ONE of the tanks.... still not sure what went wrong and probably never will. But the one that broke my heart was my shark.

So onto my strange query: Is there any way to preserve this guy, possibly in resin or something, and have him be a part of the decor in that tank? I can't bring myself to flush him or bury him so he's in a jar of saltwater in my freezer. I'd even consider a taxidermist but I'd really like him to be a part of my tank, especially since I bought and set this tank up just for him.
Sue

The shrimp - all you need is formaldehyde. Then someone could do something later with a resin, etc

 

[The_Paradox]

Resin will do it but if you do not have experience it can be a pain. For good results you need to pull pretty high vacuum (28”+). If you check with a local trophy shop they may be willing to do it for you. They have the tools, not sure about the stomach.

 

[MnFish1]

BTW - if you want my suggestion - let it go. Don't make a sculpture to your shrimp. Their lifespan is measured in 2-3 years. JMHO

 

[bluemon]

BTW - if you want my suggestion - let it go. Don't make a sculpture to your shrimp. Their lifespan is measured in 2-3 years. JMHO

I'm pretty sure op meant to type bamboo shark

 

[Malcontent]

Hit up a taxidermist that does freeze drying. It's the option some people use for ded dog/cat pets. I heard that some species of fish can't be freeze dried but if it's possible it's by far the most realistic method.

 

[littlefoxx]

I'm going out on a limb here and risking some bashing and negative comments but considering all of us reefers are a little "out there" maybe I won't?

I hatched a bamboo shrimp from the egg. Taught him to hand-feed, got him weaned from octopus to shrimp, built a relationship where I could tap on the glass and he'd know it was time to come to the surface to get fed, etc. Yup, I got attached, this one was a beauty. I went to the west coast for 6 days to visit grandkids and left my husband in charge of all my pets (including two saltwater tanks). I got home to find about $900 worth of fish losses in ONE of the tanks.... still not sure what went wrong and probably never will. But the one that broke my heart was my shark.

So onto my strange query: Is there any way to preserve this guy, possibly in resin or something, and have him be a part of the decor in that tank? I can't bring myself to flush him or bury him so he's in a jar of saltwater in my freezer. I'd even consider a taxidermist but I'd really like him to be a part of my tank, especially since I bought and set this tank up just for him.
Sue

Resin isnt a good idea. I tried with my prized emerald crab, the chemical turned him orange. Tried with my DOA angeler fish cause he was beautiful, it was honestly just messy and the fish float to the surface in resin and create a rotting mess. I was devastated, dont want that to happen to your little shark friend. Go to a taxidermist and get him preserved. You could them make a small display tank for him with sand and fake corals and stuff if you wanted, but the saltwater would ruin anything you tried to preserve him in long term. Im sorry for your loss though

 

[SueAndHerZoo]

Ugh, what an idiot. Yes, I meant BAMBOO SHARK, not shrimp. Sorry, and thanks for figuring it out.
Sue

 

[The_Paradox]

Resin isnt a good idea. I tried with my prized emerald crab, the chemical turned him orange. Tried with my DOA angeler fish cause he was beautiful, it was honestly just messy and the fish float to the surface in resin and create a rotting mess. I was devastated, dont want that to happen to your little shark friend. Go to a taxidermist and get him preserved. You could them make a small display tank for him with sand and fake corals and stuff if you wanted, but the saltwater would ruin anything you tried to preserve him in long term. Im sorry for your loss though

It sounds like you used a PVA resin. Needs to be an epoxy. Taxidermy fish are not really preserved in the traditional sense. Either way. If you want it done right you want a flash freeze dried process to resin and high vacuum pull. Once cured standard tools can be used to shape and polish.

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This Pinned Insects item by Twinstibnite has 16 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Thomaston, GA. Listed on Mar 24, 2024

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That gives an example of reasonable level of preservation to expect.

 

[littlefoxx]

It sounds like you used a PVA resin. Needs to be an epoxy. Taxidermy fish are not really preserved in the traditional sense. Either way. If you want it done right you want a flash freeze dried process to resin and high vacuum pull. Once cured standard tools can be used to shape and polish.

Hum Ill go back and see what kind, I swore it was epoxy but maybe not. And yeah the other stuff makes sense for sure, this was my first time trying resin

 

[The_Paradox]

Hum Ill go back and see what kind, I swore it was epoxy but maybe not. And yeah the other stuff makes sense for sure, this was my first time trying resin

For the future when doing mounts like this, they need to be pined to prevent your floating issue. This also allows the object be positioned.

 

[littlefoxx]

For the future when doing mounts like this, they need to be pined to prevent your floating issue. This also allows the object be positioned.

Good advice thank you!

 

[MnFish1]

I'm pretty sure op meant to type bamboo shark

Sorry - I thought there was a shrimp I hadn't heard of!!!!! - Yes - taxidermy!!!

 

[MnFish1]

I'm pretty sure op meant to type bamboo shark

Again - so sorry - I thought maybe there was a shrimp I didn't know about.

 

[diverjm]

Regarding resin, some produce large amounts of heat that will discolor objects.

 

[elysics]

Regarding resin, some produce large amounts of heat that will discolor objects.

Yeah it's a whole art. Kind of resin, amount of curing agent, technical tricks of how to pin the specimen down without leaving visible traces after, the correct timing for each step, etc. Not to mention everything about polishing

If you DIY, definitely don't have your prized pet be your first try. Maybe your 15th try.

 

[MnFish1]

Yeah it's a whole art. Kind of resin, amount of curing agent, technical tricks of how to pin the specimen down without leaving visible traces after, the correct timing for each step, etc. Not to mention everything about polishing

If you DIY, definitely don't have your prized pet be your first try. Maybe your 15th try.

Apologies - none of what you say makes complete sense. ?

 

[elysics]

Apologies - none of what you say makes complete sense. ?

I am saying it takes experience with all the separate steps, learning to know the products and techniques and their quirks. One such quirk is heat production.

Point is, shouldn't expect your first DIY attempts to turn out well, so don't let your favourite pet be that first attempt