Arowana in Distress

   We have a golden redtail arowana as a pet for more than 6 years.Actually it was my husband's pet. It is tame although it is a predator fish.My husband could touch it with his hand. Since we bought it from the fish shop when it was about 6 inches, it already acquired the taste of live food and doesn't take pellets although we tried.It likes bread worms and crickets the most. Occasionally it is fed with fish and prawns.

   Two days ago, my husband bought RM1 of tiny fishes as its food. He poured the fishes into the aquarium as usual.Unknown to him, this batch of fishes were very aggressive. The fishes kept on disturbing the arowana by nibbling at it instead of the arowana eating them. The arowana was so stress out that it just remain at the bottom of the aquarium and not moving much. Arowana usually swims at the surface and always moving. Being at the bottom is a bad sign. My husband was so worried for his arowana. He removed all the fishes but his arowana is still in distress. It is not its usual self yet. My husband bought some anti stress medicine for it which is quite expensive.Hopefully it will get well soon.It is part of our family.

   My son said," Fish also can get stress.Only swim and eat, no need to study or work also stress. Medicine also more expensive than mine when I was sick!" Frankly, it is not easy to upkeep a pet because it needs a lot of responsibilities and care.When it gets sick...the worries we feel is heart stopping...not good eh? But when it is okay, caring for it is like therapy for its owner.

Prescription: Being responsible is a challenge and not always easy.


(14.03.11-Thursday)