aquarium: new species

[serenissima]

On Sunday I added new members to my little community-inna-box: four glowlight tetras. The pet store was out of black neon tetras, so I opted for the other species I'd been considering. They are mostly greyish with a metallic coppery-orange lateral stripe. They're pretty, but in a much more understated way than the cardinal tetras. I'm half-regretting putting the glowlights in the same tank with the cardinals, because the cardinals are so flashy. Their electric blue stripe is broader and more brilliant than the reflective stripes of the other tetras, so they outshine the others. The black neons are still moderately eye-catching, but the glowlights fade by comparison.

Sometimes I wonder what goes through their little fishy brains. What cues them to congregate at the front of the tank when I get ready to feed them? Is it my presence standing in front of the tank? Is it the fact that I remain standing there for more than just a couple seconds? Do they recognize the yellow can of fish food I'm holding? During the terrifying ordeal of a water change, do the more experienced fish reassure the new ones? :) Do they realize that the water is cleaner than it was an hour previous, or do they not remember?

Changing the subject, job stress is back. Looks like I'll be spending a couple of late nights at work. Yuck.

Comments

[breimh.livejournal.com]

Tetras are cool, no matter which kind they are. I used to have the neon blues, with black sand, under a blacklight, and lots of purple and yellow plants and shells in the water. It really can be quite hypnotic and lovely to watch, and the soft hum of the filter, with that effect, sometimes made me drift into a trance-like state.