Feb 24 2009 I See Your Brain: Fish Has See-Through Head
The barreleye (Macropinna microstoma for you ichthyologists) is a deepwater fish that has a see-through, fluid filled head in which it moves its eyeballs. And that, dear reader, is freaking awesome.
Barreleyes, just a few inches long, are thought to eat small fishes and jellyfish. The green pigments in their eyes may filter out sunlight coming directly from the sea surface, helping the barreleye spot the bioluminescent glow of jellies or other animals directly overhead. When it spots prey (such as a drifting jelly), a barreleye rotates its eyes forward and swims upward, in feeding mode.
What a freak! Reminds me of a girl I used to date that had a wandering eye. My God that turned me on. When she was looking at you it was like she was looking through you. Well, with her good eye anyways, the other was always wandering over your shoulder. Damn I miss that eye.
Strange Fish Has See-Through Head [aolnews]
Thanks to Pat, who has eyes in the back of his head that he can't use because he needs a haircut.
Nov 10 2008 Why Am I Not Surprised?: An R2-D2 Aquarium
He's been steampunkified, LEGOfied, made into cakes, a fridge, a USB hub, a home theater system, a trashcan (surprise, surprise), a computer case, and even a beanie, and now, in his latest incarnation, it's R2-D2 as an aquarium. The $129 aquatic habitat is sold by Hammacher Schlemmer and has a 1.75-gallon capacity. "R2's eye-piece even works as a periscope so you can get an up close look at your little buddies while they meander around." Then, you can eat them. Mmmm, fish sticks!
R2-D2 aquarium [crunchgear]
Thanks to Hunter, who had a birthday last week and is finally old enough to legally kick ass.
Oct 28 2008 Whee! View Outerspace From A Fishbowl
Not cool with viewing space from the cramped confines of a tiny dildo? Well how about the 360-degree views offered from the "Fishbowl Spaceship".
The company, founded by iD software (Doom, Quake) chief John Carmack, plans to build this far-fetched space bubble next year, aiming to start its first suborbital flights a year later. The company says a ticket on this wild ride will cost you a relatively cheap $100,000.
Awesome, now fumigate the bubble to get rid of those anal space tentacles and I'm sold.
Fishbowl Spaceship to give tourists a breathtaking 360-degree view [dvice]
Thanks to LSDiesel, who once huffed a bunch of nitrous and then heard this WAWAWAWAWA in his head that made him feel like he was on a spaceship.
Oct 15 2008 Virgin Shark Produced Shark Kitten
A female blacktip shark at the Virginia Aquarium & Marione Science Center recently passed away, and, upon necropsy, was discovered to be with shark puppy -- despite no male sharks being present for 8 years!
Virgin birth has been proven in some bony fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds, and has been suspected among sharks in the wild. The scientists who studied the Virginia and Nebraska sharks said the newly formed pups acquired one set of chromosomes when the mother's chromosomes split during egg development, then united anew.
Absent the chromosomes present in the male sperm, the offspring of an asexual conception have reduced genetic diversity and, the scientists said, may be at a disadvantage for surviving in the wild. A pup, for instance, can be more susceptible to congenital disorders and diseases.
Proof positive that when a woman wants to get pregnant -- no matter how often you dunk your balls in hot coffee -- she's gonna do it.
Scientists confirm shark's 'virgin birth' [msnbc]
Thanks to Heather and Abe, who both claim there was a dinosaur in Jurassic park that did the same thing. But they're wrong -- it was me!
Sep 17 2008 Under The Sea: Fish 'N Flush Toilet Aquarium
The Fish 'N Flush is a 2.5 gallon aquarium that replaces your regular ceramic tank. It consists of two pieces: the actual fill tank, and the aquarium, which surrounds the fill tank for the "fish in your toilet" effect. It costs $300 and is great for pocket fishermen and people who can't keep pet fish alive (comes conveniently located atop a fish cemetery). But for the love of God, DO NOT sell one to this kid, that's just asking for it. I want one though. The only problem is you don't get to enjoy the aquarium while you're sitting on the john. Unless...
UPDATE: You ever tried straddling a toilet? I shat on the floor!
Two more pictures and a video of the flushing in action after the jump.
Continue Reading " Under The Sea: Fish 'N Flush Toilet Aquarium "
Mar 28 2008 Aquarium Bathtub Is Sweet, Too Expensive
The Moody Acquario is a $14,500 bathtub that has an aquarium on the side. It looks like the tank and tub are separated by a little space, which is smart because I was wondering how the fish would be able to withstand the heat transfer from my boiling baths. I love aquariums so I'm all about it. Minus, of course, the $14,500 price tag. I'm pretty confident you could build yourself one of these though without too much trouble. Or you can do what any normal damn person would, and bathe in your damn fishtank. But be warned: Don't just go throwing yourself in there lest you find a ceramic pirate ship up your ass.
Moody Acquario: Bathing With The Fishes [gizmodo]
Feb 15 2008 Fish Forest Fishtanks Are So Freaking Sweet
I love aquariums, they're so relaxing. I used to have one in my bedroom until the sound of it started making me piss the bed. However that may be worth it to have the beauty of an Adana Aqua Forest Aquariums bedside. They're amazing. However due the incredible plantlife contained in each, they're difficult to maintain. CO2 and fertilizer must be added to the tank, along with grow lights and a special filter system. I think this type of system might also limit the type of fish you can put in the tank, as I only saw tetras in the pictures (I could be wrong about this). All I know is that I want one yesterday. Unfortunately my cats would have a field day with the open top design. I learned this the hard way with the open top mouse cage I used to have.
RIP Professor Squeak, Squeakers, Cheddar, Cheerio, Mighty, Danger, Red Eyes, Mickey, Minnie, Pikachu, Stich, Whiskers, Jujube, Kitty Food, Rascal and Cheeky. You're missed dearly.
Hit the jump for a bunch more of the awesome aquariums, along with a link to their gallery that is a must see if you like there. And no, I've never actually had any pet mice. Those beady eyed bastards scare the shit out of me.
Continue Reading " Fish Forest Fishtanks Are So Freaking Sweet "
Feb 1 2008 Fishtank Looks Like Habitrail, Wicked Bong
The Silverfish Aquarium designed by Octopus Studios is a gnarly looking setup for your fishy little friends. Each 60 gallon setup is custom made, costs $3,400, and is allegedly self sufficient. I think they're freaking awesome and I want one so bad. So so bad. Almost as bad as I want to live in a human-sized habitrail. Which I would give both my nuts for. It'd have all kinds of funs stuff like rope swings, ball pits, cargo nets and pools. Man that would be so awesome. And by 'man that would be so awesome' I mean I'm stoned to all hell. But it'd still be awesome even if I wasn't, I think. Oh my god I think I just saw Jesus riding a Vespa.
Hit the jump for a closeup of one of the bubbles.
Continue Reading " Fishtank Looks Like Habitrail, Wicked Bong "
Jan 16 2008 Mineral Oil Computer Cooling: Sure, Why Not
Take one computer, drop it into an aquarium, fill with mineral oil and presto! -- a mineral oil cooled computer case. I decided to make one of my own and I've got to say it's pretty cool except for the fact that all my fish keep dying. What do they not like mineral oil or something? The man responsible for the mod had this to say: "after about 2 hours, the temperature settled at a new maximum of 84C on the CPU under load." That's pretty impressive, seeing how the temperature of my CPU settled at broken under heavy load. And by 'under heavy load' I mean I sat on it.
A video tutorial to make your own after the jump.
Continue Reading " Mineral Oil Computer Cooling: Sure, Why Not "
Dec 18 2007 Electric Eel Powers Christmas Tree
A Japanese aquarium has an electric eel powering a Christmas tree. The tank the eel is in has two electric panels that act as electrodes, picking up the eel's discharge. The eel itself has the capability of producing a shock of up to 500 volts and 1 ampere of current (500 watts), although the guy in the video says 800. Inventor Kazuhiko Minawa, who is responsible for the electricity harvesting system, stated "If we could gather all electric eels from all around the world, we would be able to light up an unimaginably giant Christmas tree." Wow Kazuhiko, wow. So apparently one drawback to electric eel power generation is that it's only good for lighting Christmas trees. F*** harvesting that electricity for practical uses, let's go for world's largest fish powered Christmas tree. I smell a Guinness World Record. No wait, that's Guinness beer. Ah, breakfast.
Japan eel wishes you an electric Christmas [reuters]
thanks to Lauren, who is both intelligent and drop-dead gorgeous, for the tip
Sep 7 2007 Very Large LED Screen in Beijing
A 250 meter x 30 meter LED screen was installed in Beijing as a centerpiece for The Place, which is a shopping mall located in the business district. The thing cost $32 million, is 80 feet above the ground, and actually 5 separate screens combined. It can play video games, live events, and visitors can even upload photos to view. However, it is primarily used as a virtual aquarium, with sharks and fish swimming by. Which, for $32 million, seems like a waste of money. I was just at the aquarium the other day, and they had tanks that seemed that big. And not only that, but if the attendant isn't paying attention and you have long enough arms -- free sushi.
A few more pictures and a video after the jump.
