HERE'S DARLA
I just have to introduce you to the new babies in our house. Three little Figure-Eight Pufferfish - the real things! Excuse me guys, the real fish.
If any of you remember or know your film history (way back to black and white), you may know the Hal Roach films of "Spanky and Our Gang" with Alfalfa, Darla, Spanky, Buckwheat, Mickey (little Robert Blake), Spike, and Butch. I bring these up because as I tried to find names for my new three little keepers, somehow the Little Rascal's names seemed most appropriate. Neither the Three Stooges or the Marx Brothers would work. So here they are.
These puffers are freshwater fish that do best in brackish water - slightly salty like a tidal marsh or river estuary. They'll only grow to about 2 - 3 inches. And they're little predators. No fish flakes for these guys. Yummmm, fresh shrimp, crab, snails and thank goodness frozen krill. I find I'm not really into live feeding so they'll have to live with fresh frozen or what I bring them from the local fresh fish store "Portugese Joe's" down on Dyke Road. And boy do they like to eat! Darla won't touch anything unless she thinks it's swimming. So I have to hang a krill on a clip and dangle it to fool her. Spanky - true to his namesake is a bottom feeder. Whatever anybody misses, Spanky gets. And then Alf (Alfalfa) will take it anyway he can. So twice a day while they're young we have a little feeding frenzy party. As predators, these fish can swivel their eyes around to the front and look a bit like the Raptor in Jurassic Park. See the picture of Darla? Now think of JP - see? maybe I just have a weird imagination...whatever, I'm easy to amuse.
Already they've given me lots of new ideas and insight into fish moves and details.
SPANKY
Sorry, no baby pictures of Alf yet, I'll try tomorrow and see if he feels like posing.
2 comments:
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh! I am dang excited! Not just about your fish, which are cool, but I might be in your neighborhood!!!!!!!!!! Except, I haven't map quested COMOX in relationship to BC so I don't know for sure. Are they near to each other? We are going to Washington for Lee's brother's wedding Sep 28 or 29 ... whichever day is Saturday ... then, if we can swing it, we are going to stay on a week and hop the ferry to the San Juan islands, BC, and Buschart gardens. I LOVE that place. Our anniversary is October 4th... 5 years ... gotta celebrate! I am going to go and mapquest it, but if it IS close by do you wanna go to lunch or something? I would LOVE to see you!!! Also, I must apologize for not being around lately. Lots of stress and challenges. I don't come on line much lately. Just trying to handle paperwork and legal things. Now I can relate to what you were going through last month. Or was it the month before? Hmmmm ... I am taking up all of your posting space, huh? Too dang bad, I am talking to my friend Pat. Deal with it.
I've missed our notes.
I hope Comox is close to BC. I remember you saying it's an island. I can picture rowing over to it to visit you. ha ha. Hey ... don't think I wouldn't! I have been glancing quickly at your beads, and they are beautiful as always. I was so glad to see another sea horse. You make them so stinkin cute.
Have fun with your new fish babies.
Write me!
Love!
Wendy
Hey ... did you see Finding Nemo? Darla was the major threat to Nemo's young life. Funny name, I love it! Hey... I just mapquested Comox ... is there more than one Comox? Are you north of the San Juan islands? And are you near Halfmoon bay? Cuz I think I found you and I think you are not too far away from BC!!! But who knows? It looks close on the map, but Oregon also looks close to Seattle and I know that that's a five hour drive or so. ha. Let me know how far away it is and if you would like me to visit, OK?
Love!
Wendy
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