Jellyfish attack!

Yesterday I snorkelled with my sister. I spotted what I thought was a big, flowery lump of coral or something, floating in the water. As I approached, I realised it was man's natural enemy -- the jellyfish. As wide as a dinner plate, this beast was pulsing confidently through the water, searching for small fish or mammals to feed on. Either it had evolved to look like coral, so it could hunt better -- or this was a particularly cunning jellyfish who was carrying around a chunk of coral and whistling casually. In the same way a cartoon character will hide inside a bush with just his feet sticking out the bottom, this jellyfish was using the camouflage to sneak up on people! Dastardly!

Being the seasoned snorkeller's that we are, we of course stayed a few meters away from this great beast. But before we could warn them, it had floated into the midst of three guys in full wetsuits and high-vis snorkelling gear! These clowns were obviously out for "a good time", and weren't aware of the dangers that lurk just below the surface. I watched with morbid fascination as the tentacles of the great fish brushed against the chest of one. His head was above the water! How could he be so unaware of the attack happening just inches below his face?! His friend noticed, and desperately warned him, and the trio made a quick escape. But if it wasn't for his thick wetsuit, this poor soul would have been quickly paralysed by the stinging tentacles, and sunk beneath the waves to drown. And eventually be consumed by the jellyfish.

A similar sort of thing happens on Ski slopes(*). At the start of the season, the locals will see groups of cashed-up morons walking around in $900 ski jackets, carrying $4,000 skis -- but none of it saves them from breaking their legs when they hit a tree. Gear doesn't make you safe -- experience does. Please try to remember this.

Also, my sister claims to have seen a school of "swordfish". I highly doubt this dubious sighting, which conveniently happened while I was out of the water. Swordfish have been extinct for over 50 years! But some people don't want to hear "facts"; more likely, she saw her own shadow cast against the sea bed.

Anyway, it goes to show you -- after 20+ trips to this beach, I am still seeing new and cruel dangers, just waiting to claim the unwary swimmer.

Stay alert out there!

-Gray

* Disclaimer: I have never been skiing. This article is purely conjecture on my part.

Fanta loses his fizz

Well, I have just returned Cola to the shop. They said they would re-sell him.

Now Fanta is swimming peacefully around the tank. Not hiding behind the heater, pressed into the corner of the tank, getting his fins nipped. I guess this is one case where the little guy had a big guy looking out for him (me).

After Fanta dies, or 4 weeks elapse, whatever comes first, I will add a few Platys. Apparently they are non-aggressive to their own kind.

These pet shops really upset me. They don't even mention things like Ammonia, testing water for various chemicals, which fish are suitable together ... It's pretty obvious they don't care if your fish die. It means they get to sell more fish.

Sorry no humour in today's entry; I'm kind of saddened by the whole experience.

-Gray

Aquarium - bullying in the tank

Cola is bullying Fanta. I have asked for help in a forum. Apparantly this is normal behaviour for male mollies. The solutions seem to be "get a bigger tank" which I can't afford. Or "add some females", but I don't want babies!

I guess I was so focussed on water chemistry, tank biology, and keeping the fish physically healthy, I never stopped to research into "fish personality".

 Oh well. Maybe the fish shop will take them back (doubtful) ... I wonder if I could eat them? No sense wasting the little guys.

Is there even a humane way to kill a small fish? What would I have to do, put it into a bowl of water and poison the water with bleach? Doesn't sound pleasant.

Sad times for me (and poor little Fanta, too).

-Gray

Cheap imported filter

Quick entry tonight .... Cola and Fanta are loving their tank.

The cheap Chinese-made filter was making a hell of a racket this morning. I pulled it apart and put it back together, didn't actually do anything to it, but somehow fixed the noise. Put the spray bar above the water -- now my bedroom is filled with a waterfall sound. Fanta likes playing in the turbulent water. Either that, or he's too weak to escape it ...

Also, I added 3 live plants. I don't expect them to live. Between the over-oxygenated water and the two fish gnawing at their leaves, I'm pretty sure they'll be dead within the week.

Fed the little guys some bloodworm tonight. Frankly it didn't smell all that appetising, but then, I'm not a fish. They scarfed it.

I'll be honest here -- these two fish are probably not going to survive the month. The tank isn't cycled and they're pumping out waste left and right. I'm no Aquarium expert, but I'm testing ammonia twice a day and will water change as required. If you want to donate some cold hard cash to their cause, e-mail me :)

All I'm saying is -- let's not get too attached to these little guys. Sure, they quickly found their way into all our hearts with their crazy antics, playful marking of territory, and cute eyes. The two days I've known them feels like 2 years ... But statistically, they're on a one-way ticket to the bin. Quite literally.

So far though, they are as healthy as a mule(s). Cola is bigger and often rushes at poor little Fanta. I hate to see a ranga getting bullied. I speak from experience. But it's all part of nature I guess ...

I'll keep you posted.

-Gray, Cola and Fanta

Aquarium - first fish

Hi Aqua-fans!

I just acclimatised my first two fish to the tank. They are both male Mollys, one is orange and the other is black and white. Here is a short clip of them. It is zoomed in to max so it looks hazy - the water is actually very clear.

I thought about naming the orange one "Cornelius" just because it's such an excellent name ... But I might go with "Pepsi" for the orange, and "Cola" for the dark one. Suggestions anyone?

In a couple of weeks I will add some more plants and things for them to swim around. And also either 2 more mollys, or 6 glow light tetras.

By the way that was another $45 for the fish, StressCoat conditioner for the sensitive little guys, and some frozen food for treats. Total spend is about $315 now.


-Gray

Aquarium is born

G'day fellow sea-farers!

In a characteristic flash of genius, I decided "Why visit the ocean to enjoy the fish, when I can bring the fish to me?". So I've bought an aquarium. 55 litres of natural habitat for some friendly little fish to swim in! Total spend so far is $270, and no fish yet. Maybe if you get inspired to set up your own aquarium, you can learn from my own experiences. So here is the run-down so far.

- 55 litre tank (medium size, I would say)
- Internal power filter with spray bar
- 50 watt heater
- Plain gravel
- Thermometer
- A couple of fake plants
- A barrel decoration
- Background picture
- Water treatment stuff to treat the tap water
- pH test kit and adjuster chemicals
- Ammonia test kit
- Net
- Fish food
- Bacteria booster to help kick-start the biological filtering

There is definitely more to this stuff than meets the eye. This is why, when little Johnny buys a $10 goldfish bowl and dumps his goldfish into it, the poor thing is dead within the month. Johnny's parents can't be blamed; who would have thought keeping a fish would actually involve research and effort?

Here you can see the tank as it is right now. Nothing much to look at. I will probably add some "Mollys" which are plain little fish, in a few days. After a month or two, I'll be ready to switch over to a flock of awesome little tetras, probably Glow Light Tetras. So you can look forward to pics / video of those little suckers!

Here is a YouTube clip of some Neon Tetras.

Comments / advice welcome as always.

-Gray