Wet Specimens

Hey everyone! So, following up on my last post about my first venture into wet specimens – can you believe I just found out squid is considered shellfish? As someone with a shellfish allergy, it was quite a revelation, but it also sparked an idea! My friend Ben and I had such a blast putting together our first batch of wet specimen jars, and I wanted to share a bit more about how incredibly beginner-friendly this hobby can be. If you've ever been curious about creating your own preserved oddities, this is definitely a fun place to start! When Ben and I were getting started, the main thing was gathering our supplies. You don't need much fancy equipment to begin. First, of course, you need your specimen! For beginners, smaller, simpler items are best. We used some small squid (ethically sourced, of course!). Then, you need a good quality glass jar with an airtight lid. Mason jars or scientific specimen jars work perfectly. For the preservation fluid, while many professionals use formalin, for home enthusiasts and beginners, 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is a much safer and more accessible option, especially if you're working without a dedicated lab space. You’ll also want some distilled water to dilute the alcohol if needed, a pair of gloves, and maybe some tweezers or small tools for positioning your specimen. Safety first, always! Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area. Now for the fun part – the preservation process! Our first step was gently cleaning our specimen. For something like a squid, a quick rinse with distilled water helps. Next, and this is crucial for long-term preservation, you want to immerse your specimen in a "fixative" solution. If you're using isopropyl alcohol, you can start with a lower concentration (around 50-60%) for a few days to a week to allow it to penetrate the tissues, then transfer it to a 70% solution for long-term storage. Some people like to inject the fixative directly into larger specimens to ensure full saturation, but for small items like our squid, simply submerging it usually works fine. You'll notice the liquid might get cloudy at first; that's normal as impurities are drawn out. I usually change the liquid after a few days until it stays clear. After fixation, it’s all about presentation. Carefully position your specimen in the jar using your tweezers or tools. You want it to look natural and aesthetically pleasing. Once you’re happy with the arrangement, fill the jar completely with your final preservation fluid (the 70% isopropyl alcohol is my go-to). Make sure there are no air bubbles trapped inside, as these can cause deterioration over time. Seal your jar tightly! This is super important to prevent evaporation and contamination. Caring for your wet specimen is actually super easy, as the image text mentioned! Once sealed, they require very little maintenance. Keep them out of direct sunlight, which can fade the colors and degrade the fluid. A cool, dark place is ideal. Over many years, the fluid might slowly evaporate or change color, so it’s good practice to check on them periodically. If the fluid level drops, you can carefully top it off with more 70% isopropyl alcohol. It’s such a rewarding hobby, turning something that would otherwise be discarded into a fascinating piece of art or study. Ben and I were so proud of our little squid specimens. It's a wonderful way to explore the natural world and create unique, conversation-starting displays for your home. Give it a try, you might just find your next favorite creative outlet!