The collected works of ScottyB

While out and about on the weekend, we decided to call into the recently opened Fish/Reptile/Amphibian pet shop at Warners Bay.

It’s been probably 10 years since I’ve had an aquarium of any sort, and the last one I had was a little fish bowl on my old desk, which contained an orange Comet that I - shamefully - can’t remember the name of He was nonetheless, a companion for many years - even after my Brother lost both of his fish to neglect and forgetfulness. I used to do my homework with him swimming around in his little bowl world, seemingly unphased by anything and generally only worrying where his next meal was coming from. It was so easy to get sidetracked, just watch him swim around in circles, doing backflips and hovering in the middle of the bowl, his only decision; Where to swim next.

Honestly, until the last few months, I’ve never given a thought to having another fish - but the prospect of this shop opening not far from where I work has gotten me interested again. So interested in fact, that yesterday, I came home with two Calico goldfish and an aquarium starter pack.

So far it’s all gone pretty well. The aquarium is a fantastic little unit I picked up at Big W for the price of a few DVD’s - the only downside seems to be the fact that the wiring or something is preventing the little inbuilt light from working (its had a couple of test globes, but no luck so far unfortunately) so it may have to get exchanged at some stage. Beside that though, its a great little bit of kit. It’s an 18.5 litre tank, about 45×40x15 including the top casing. Has an inbuilt filtration system with bio-balls and a carbon exchange filter thingo, which the guy at the shop said was really good. The pump is almost completely silent - impressive - especially considering I’m used to the old diaphragm air-pump setups that would keep you awake at night and cost a month’s pocket-money. My how times have changed.

The little Calico’s, one a lovely rich orange-red hue, dimpled with black - and the other, a mostly white, with some red and black flecks, are thus far un-named. I was thinking of naming them after Marvel characters, but any suggestions are most welcome

They seem to have settled in nicely. I’ve bought a little decorative sunken Pirate Ship for the bottom as well as a couple of fake plants (think I’ll pick up a real one or two tomorrow though) and have been busy exploring all nooks and crannies of their little space today.

There is some confusion though. The manual that comes with the tank suggests feeding a pinch of food twice a day; the instructions on the food state once a day. And the red guy - being extremely frisky and active - seems to be taking all of the food from the white one before it can settle to the bottom where whitey seems to like plucking the flakes from the gravel. I’ve been helping him out by pushing the food into the filter outlet, which jettisons the flakes to the bottom Maybe I need to get some heavier food pellets too.

Some life they have - gotta say, it looks pretty awesome just swimming around in a little watery paradise all day. Maybe they’ll unearth some good ol’ Piratey booty from that sunken ship for me.

Arrrrrrr!