Lesson Learned from Fish, Part II
This morning I found our smaller Chinese algae eater lying belly-side up in the three gallon tank, with Peetie the Danio hovering over him. She was frantic; trying to help Mr. Chang. I ran for my husband for help (as I am still too ignorant in the ways of fish), knowing he was dying. Doctor Husband removed both fish from the tank and completely cleaned it of the egg debris Peetie had created earlier in the week, in case Mr. Chang simply couldn't breath because of it. Once the tank was back to pristine condition, both fish were returned to their home.
From that moment forward there's been a Mr. Chang watch. Diligent Peetie has nurtured her cross-species man along, as he has slowly shown signs of regaining a bit of his former health. Just now, while I checked in on them both, I watched as Peetie did an amazing thing. She lowered herself to the algae wafer my husband dropped in a while ago and lifted it up with her nose. She then swam over Mr. Chang, then back to the wafer. Again she lifted it with her nose then went back and swam over Mr. Chang, more and more frantically each time. And then it dawned on me. She's trying to get Mr. Chang to eat. She's still doing so at this moment. She knows he's weak, still vulnerable. Peetie is determined that he recover.
Earlier today I read that Danios tend to mate for life, which is up to five years. Being that we found Peetie abandoned alone in a tank in a rental home, we can only guess that she is now about one and a half years old. Chinese algae eaters can have a ten year lifespan. That our algae eater is only an estimated six months old means he should be given every chance to live to a ripe old age. If Peetie has anything to say about it, he will.
Ever since I truly opened my eyes to how our fish live among each other; paid more attention to them individually, I have become awe struck. They are as individual and unique as each of us humans. They demonstrate compassion. They can be competitive. They have social structures. They convey joy. They feel sorrow. They can play. They use tools. They can be fickle in the ways of love or completely devoted.
I'm learning priceless lessons from a source I could never have imagined I would. But at this very moment I simply hope that Mr. Chang will be all right.
From that moment forward there's been a Mr. Chang watch. Diligent Peetie has nurtured her cross-species man along, as he has slowly shown signs of regaining a bit of his former health. Just now, while I checked in on them both, I watched as Peetie did an amazing thing. She lowered herself to the algae wafer my husband dropped in a while ago and lifted it up with her nose. She then swam over Mr. Chang, then back to the wafer. Again she lifted it with her nose then went back and swam over Mr. Chang, more and more frantically each time. And then it dawned on me. She's trying to get Mr. Chang to eat. She's still doing so at this moment. She knows he's weak, still vulnerable. Peetie is determined that he recover.
Earlier today I read that Danios tend to mate for life, which is up to five years. Being that we found Peetie abandoned alone in a tank in a rental home, we can only guess that she is now about one and a half years old. Chinese algae eaters can have a ten year lifespan. That our algae eater is only an estimated six months old means he should be given every chance to live to a ripe old age. If Peetie has anything to say about it, he will.
Ever since I truly opened my eyes to how our fish live among each other; paid more attention to them individually, I have become awe struck. They are as individual and unique as each of us humans. They demonstrate compassion. They can be competitive. They have social structures. They convey joy. They feel sorrow. They can play. They use tools. They can be fickle in the ways of love or completely devoted.
I'm learning priceless lessons from a source I could never have imagined I would. But at this very moment I simply hope that Mr. Chang will be all right.
Posted by MC Think Tank Talk Blog at 1/17/2010 4:44 PM 
Categories: lifestyle
Tags: Fish have feelings too what humans can learn from fish
Categories: lifestyle
Tags: Fish have feelings too what humans can learn from fish
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