One day Karen, the Bristle Nosed Catfish, lost her taste for trash. Boldly, she swam to the top of the tank where the rest of the gang were enjoying a breakfast of freeze dried blood worms and algae wafers. The first to notice this aberration were the other two catfish, Bruna and Jean. They remained on the bottom, wedging themselves a little deeper into the gravel. Within days, the pecking order in the tank reversed itself completely. Big Al and Alice, the Kissing Gouramis, stopped kissing. Angel Fish, Duma and Dagiel, usually a docile species, began darting around the tank, surfing the glass walls and nipping at the fins of the goldfish. The playful neons grew pale and stalked guppies hiding in the hair grass.
When Anna noticed the Black Mollies swimming sideways, she knew something was amiss. Anna was 12 years old and the aquarium was her responsibility. Anna checked the pH and temperature of the water. She changed the filter. She saw no evidence of parasites. Anna decided to monitor the system for the next few days.
Gradually, the Tiger Barbs emerged from behind the rocks and the mollies righted themselves. The tetras regained their brilliance. Zebra fish, who were hiding in the small treasure chest at the bottom of the tank, ventured back into the light
Bruna and Jean were also watching. Even though they were bottom feeders, they were tired of taking out the rubbish and doing double duty for Karen who was getting very lazy and very fat. They were determined to make a run for the top once a day and help themselves to the dried shrimp appetizers. These little acts of rebellion caused a great deal of stress in the small ecosystem, disrupting the newly acquired tranquility. Once again the Red Tail Sharks were circling frantically or hiding in hollow logs.
Anna decided to quarantine all three catfish. After several days in lockdown, the offenders returned to the community. However, Anna noted that the scavengers had developed a taste for swordtail and no longer seemed to know their place.
When Anna noticed the Black Mollies swimming sideways, she knew something was amiss. Anna was 12 years old and the aquarium was her responsibility. Anna checked the pH and temperature of the water. She changed the filter. She saw no evidence of parasites. Anna decided to monitor the system for the next few days.
Gradually, the Tiger Barbs emerged from behind the rocks and the mollies righted themselves. The tetras regained their brilliance. Zebra fish, who were hiding in the small treasure chest at the bottom of the tank, ventured back into the light
Bruna and Jean were also watching. Even though they were bottom feeders, they were tired of taking out the rubbish and doing double duty for Karen who was getting very lazy and very fat. They were determined to make a run for the top once a day and help themselves to the dried shrimp appetizers. These little acts of rebellion caused a great deal of stress in the small ecosystem, disrupting the newly acquired tranquility. Once again the Red Tail Sharks were circling frantically or hiding in hollow logs.
Anna decided to quarantine all three catfish. After several days in lockdown, the offenders returned to the community. However, Anna noted that the scavengers had developed a taste for swordtail and no longer seemed to know their place.
