Fear the Crab

I came to the decision today that I have to give Meeth away. First I was really concerned about his avid attention to Poppy³, especially since the little corys are the same size as neon tetras. Angelfish consider neon tetras and small fish that size to be dinner. Meeth is too small now, but he’s going to grow whilst the corys will not, and when he gets to the adult size, it’s going to get dangerous.

I figured maybe Maile could take him back. She had recently replaced the fish in the 30G tank with tiger barbs and albino barbs, and the larger corys. Perhaps that tank would be more accomodating. So we took Meeth over and acclimated him to that tank. We first observed that once in, he seemed to have trouble with the current. Then I read online that tiger barbs like to nip angelfish fins. Bad.

There was another tank, but that had guppies, which also tend to be considered as food for angelfish. Again, bad.

The other tanks in the house were too small for an angelfish, and were already occupied by species considered incompatible in some way.

That left Maile’s tank, which was the home of Kylie, who had put out a restraining order on Meeth. With no other alternative, it was concluded that the best place for Meeth would be at Coral Fish or some other aquaria store, where he will get a tall tank and good care, and be housed with compatible fish.

Needless to say, I’m fucking upset. Meeth was the adopted child that I swore responsibility to, and now because of my idiotic decision to put small bite-sized corys in the same tank, I’m abandoning him. I could switch out the corys, but they would have no place to go either, so either way I’d end up having to give away one of the two species. And as it turns out, Poppy³ seems to actually enjoy my tank.

It felt like Meeth wasn’t happy. He would just.. hover, eat, eye the corys, and repeat the process. Occasionally swam the tank to explore the nooks and crannies, but showed no personality at all. I think he was as depressed as I am feeling now. As a comparison, Kylie is extremely active and curious, exhibiting great personality and generally showing that she’s happy with her surroundings.

Someone asked what I will put in my tank in replacement. I was thinking of phantom tetras, since they’re about as big as the pygmy corys. Really though, the only thing on my mind is Meeth.

I don’t know. I feel like such a quitter. Funny how iTunes plays “Regret” as I write this.