After more than seven years living his life as a solo goldfish, we finally realized that Mr. Fish was lonely. Though he's had dozens of generations of guppies to keep him company over the intervening years, they just aren't the same as a friend of the same species. My parents tipped us off last summer during their visit, and we made a run to the big box Monster Pets. It's close to our house, and does have 'stuff' for pets, but loses major points on service and quality and vibe. We left sans-fish, and with a bit of a bad taste in the mouth. This year I opted to widen my net, and rode up to Worldwide Aquarium and Pets in Roxborough with panniers and aspirations of a cool friend for Mr. Fish.
The shop was set off a dingy parking lot on Ridge Avenue, reminding me of my childhood pet paradaise, The Ark in Ames' campustown. It had all the right features.
Petshop smell? Check.
Dark room full of tanks of exotic fish? Check.
Surly, yet helpful staff? Check.
New best friend? Check!
After looking through the various tanks of wondrous fish from around the world, I found the tank of subunkin goldfish and locked eyes (well one of his, two of mine) with a calico with mirrored scales. He goes by the name of Shabu-Shabu, or just Shabu for short, and he's accompanied by Shelby, the giant pond snail.
Mr. Fish and Shabu are now inseparable, though that's mostly because they are living in the same 55 gallon stock tank. That said, they seem to enjoy chasing each other around, and eating fish food together. Match made in heaven.
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