I am sorry but I really don’t have anything to talk to you about kangaroos this month, so we are going to have to change the subject again! To FISH.
Since Albert got a marine aquarium for his birthday we have embarked on a bit of an adventure learning the basics of this new hobby. We were advised by our local fish supplier (as in pets) to start the tank off with a pet rock. Rocky came with three minuscule shrimp things and a bit of algae and did absolutely nothing on the entertainment front and even the shrimp things disappeared without a trace after a week. A whole month went by of being entertained by Reckless Rocky and having to stop visitors vainly looking at all angles to spot elusive fish, this was despite us explaining our directive in ‘conditioning’ the tank with Rocky. After that challenge we were extremely relived to go back to the shop to purchase our first fish. Huey, Dewey and Louie (Albert named them after the robots in ‘Silent Running’) arrived and immediately gave us and our visitors something of interest to peer at. The blue threesome, we were advised, where the cheapest fish in the shop and so termed as ‘dispensable’ if we made any mistakes. A couple of weeks on and with a feeling of accomplishment, over not killing them, we upped the anti and purchased an expensive fish. He was described as a ‘mature’ Clown Fish and I immediately named him Chester the Jester.
Apparently, his description of ‘mature’ describes that he is old and cranky and will not tolerate any other Clown fish (sounds familiar?). Anyway a couple of days after Chester’s arrival and watching his funny bobbing around, rather than the expected swimming, we felt sorry for him not having a coral to wriggle into, so off we went back to the shop. Of course by now the shop assistants know us by name and I’ve got an idea that it won’t be too long before they will be offering us coffee on our visits, since we spend so much time there in total awe of the wonderful fish and coral to be had.
So, now have the following additional tenants in the aquarium and these are; Fingers McPhee, S’Not A Lot, Wee Willie and Brains who are all soft corals. Oh yes, and Busta Gut the sand snail.
Interestingly we have learnt that Clown Fish don’t automatically rub against corals and anemones, apparently you have to train them. Albert keeps looking at the tank and asking me “So how do you train a fish then?” Not sure why he’s asking me, I don’t even eat them (he does) so he must have more idea surely. I know food rewards work with dogs, but kangaroos don’t give a damn.
Busta Gut is also causing concern and despite a frantic call to the fish shop yesterday, asking for urgent advice, they inform me that a coral cannot be scared of a snail. WELL I JUST DON’T AGREE ACTUALLY! After Busta’s first attempt at climbing on to Fingers, Fingers went into a complete flop and since then, he reacts dramatically when Busta Gut goes anywhere near him. He pulls all his fingers in and impersonates a green ball.
What is really disconcerting is that Busta terrorises Fingers intentionally because he knows the effect he has. He doesn’t do this with any of the other corals. Last night he even climbed up a rock to get at Fingers. The man at the shop just keeps telling me it’s impossible and says I’m not allowed to keep moving Fingers around the tank (apparently corals don't like being moved)
I’ve just pictured a court scene of a murder trial in my head, the Judge is an octopus (yes, they even had one of those in the shop and boy was it UGLY) the prosecution is a tiger shrimp and saying “So………., Mr Shop Owner can you explain to the jury how despite being informed that Mr McPhee was under threat by the accused ...............you did nothing?' Sign up for New Release Notification
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1 Comment
anne
20/8/2013 06:35:59 am
Brilliant! It's time you wrote a book............ you have soooooo much talent it's bound to be a best seller!
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AuthorSamantha "I'm a person who feels I live in paradise and truly love Australia after immigrating here in 2003. I work as a foreign exchange trader, live with my true soul mate, husband Albert. I have a passion for Aussie wildlife and became a registered wildlife carer in 2005 and can say I feel truly privileged to be able to raise and rehabilitate orphan wallaby/kangaroo joeys. I love these creatures with my heart and soul. My dream is to be able to help struggling volunteer wildlife carers, financially, so that they can do what they do best without worrying how to pay the next vet bill" Archives
December 2018
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