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I have been reminiscing lately about those crazy aquarium stores I went to when I was young (likely there are quite a few on here that would still classify me as an upstart whippersnapper), but just remembering all those wild crazes and species that have sort of fallen away as the better looking species replaced them. I thought I would share my stories of those insane oddballs I had back in the late 80's and hear some fellow stories about keeping tanks from quite some time ago...
I remember my brother having a couple of 20 gallons in his room, I basically took care of the maintanance and he overfed. It was just another reason to have more tanks I suppose, lol. One had 3 Axolotls and the other was the home of a collection of odd swordtails and a unlikely duo of one insanely huge horseface loach (7") and the most pugnacious Chinese Algae eater known to mankind. One day he says that they are 'acting funny' and they have been doing so for a few days. I investigate and indeed that was the case, with the fish jerking and swimming quite violently about the tank. I look over temp, the bubbler, the undergravel for anything that could be causing the strange behavior and simply dipped my hand into the tank to check a few things... At that moment I felt the strangest sensation. A sharp tingling I had never had occur in a tank. Yes, the heater had shattered and he was electrocuting the fish. Once unplugged from the wall, everything immediately returned to normal and they just so happened to live out their long lives with what appeared to be no permanant trauma.
In that self same tank (it was quite unlucky, perhaps cursed I could say) he had bought a terrific Dwarf Gourami and was quite proud of it. It would beg and flash terrificly for everyone to enjoy. After about 6 months it mysteriously dissappeared and could not be found. We hunted and searched, but no body at all. We mourned the loss and moved on. Fast forward 3 years.... I was again doing some maintanance on the tank and was replacing the airstones which had accidentally dropped off the rock hard brittle tubing and when I turned around there is this emmaciated dwarf gourami swimming around the tank. I was shocked, as there were no gouramis in the tank and it took me a few seconds to even have a clue as to its origin. From my best guess, it must have gotten wedged into the undergravel filter and survived for all that time. It actually came back and lived another few years before finally succoming to old age.
I'll try and post up a few more tomorrow and hopefully hear some of everyones old stories and crazy tanks.
I remember my brother having a couple of 20 gallons in his room, I basically took care of the maintanance and he overfed. It was just another reason to have more tanks I suppose, lol. One had 3 Axolotls and the other was the home of a collection of odd swordtails and a unlikely duo of one insanely huge horseface loach (7") and the most pugnacious Chinese Algae eater known to mankind. One day he says that they are 'acting funny' and they have been doing so for a few days. I investigate and indeed that was the case, with the fish jerking and swimming quite violently about the tank. I look over temp, the bubbler, the undergravel for anything that could be causing the strange behavior and simply dipped my hand into the tank to check a few things... At that moment I felt the strangest sensation. A sharp tingling I had never had occur in a tank. Yes, the heater had shattered and he was electrocuting the fish. Once unplugged from the wall, everything immediately returned to normal and they just so happened to live out their long lives with what appeared to be no permanant trauma.
In that self same tank (it was quite unlucky, perhaps cursed I could say) he had bought a terrific Dwarf Gourami and was quite proud of it. It would beg and flash terrificly for everyone to enjoy. After about 6 months it mysteriously dissappeared and could not be found. We hunted and searched, but no body at all. We mourned the loss and moved on. Fast forward 3 years.... I was again doing some maintanance on the tank and was replacing the airstones which had accidentally dropped off the rock hard brittle tubing and when I turned around there is this emmaciated dwarf gourami swimming around the tank. I was shocked, as there were no gouramis in the tank and it took me a few seconds to even have a clue as to its origin. From my best guess, it must have gotten wedged into the undergravel filter and survived for all that time. It actually came back and lived another few years before finally succoming to old age.
I'll try and post up a few more tomorrow and hopefully hear some of everyones old stories and crazy tanks.
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