I suppose it all started when I attending my first Big Shanty Festival in good ole Kennesaw, GA. At this fair I caught my first goldfish. It was then I came to appreciate the species and as I learned and took care of them growing up, and then grew a fond respect - as anyone would have for their pets. It was a few years later when one of those fair fish I caught lived for almost three years. It was maintenance and a chore, but that fish lived a darn good life. They get so happy to, fish know when it's feeding time - cause they go all "lucky fin" on you Nemo Style.
[Mind you] Nemo is the coolest movie ever, definitely in my top 10.
Skipping ahead now, my fish owner years had ceased for nearly a decade. Then after entering college, pretty much the only pet allowed in a dorm was a wee little fish. So, I won a small Beta in a frisbee throwing contest and I took little Red Ruby back to my room. A happy little Beta and a sprightly Julia too.
Well, I was golf tournament bound and in the convenience that I had asked my roommates to feed my fish many times before, I thought I would give them a break and take my fish to my boyfriend, Matt's apartment.
Sure enough I get a call two days into my tourney and little Ruby bit the bullet. (I don't know how this could have happened?) As upset as I was and the dismay Matt must have heard in my voice - he hurriedly scurried to the pet store to pick out the happiest looking fish he could find. He surprised me by getting a baby Parrot Cichlid fish, along with a 10 gallon tank with a running water filter, plants and decor. This was my new fish Ernie.
[Side note]- have you ever noticed how fish have frowning faces? (99% do) Well, Ernie is the coolest fish in the world - he literally smiles. Here is a picture of him:
I have this theory too, that Aquarium's in general will (which pretty much they have) "overthrow/overtake" attendance for any type of Zoo. Heck, the GA Aquarium celebrated its 10 millionth visitor this past June. You can find more on that here: http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/georgia-aquarium-to-welcome-76920.html
[Time Out - 30 sec. please] -Did you know that Belgium's entire population was 10 Million in 2005? Imagine all of Belgium's inhabitants visiting the aquarium... that's a lot.
Let's break this down... when you attend the zoo, it is the thrill of the day to see any animals at feeding time or playing and interacting with its kind in the like cage. But lets face it- what are the animals favorite activities to partake in... sleep. This goes for every geographic region in the zoo whether its the African pride lands when you see those somnolent lions (which are partially nocturnal hunters so they have little to no activity during the day), to the Cameroon nonchalant stagnant gorillas. I like the zoo, I really do, but it is so much more enjoyable when you get to see the animals well, move.
My point - When you go to the Aquarium fish and typically aquatic life in general are ALWAYS IN MOTION. Think about it. Its not like fish can "park it" for a few minutes - no - they are always moving. This is what fascinates people in general. A way of life so natural and yet foreign that otherwise humans would never engage in had it not been for aquaria's or scuba diving.
[Not to mention]- The largest living animal in the world lives in ocean - the Blue Whale. (More on the Blue Whale here: http://www.worldstory.net/en/whale.html)
This is one of the reasons I am beginning a hobby/career out of scuba diving. To have this qualification can open doors to a new under water world. More to come on my adventures in Scuba soon.
[PS]- There is one thing I dislike about fish ... I can't pet them :)
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I dedicate this post to all of my friends who have heard me brag about, daunt on, cry over, or generally be proud of my fish. Thanks...
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