Mindfull

People don’t always consider fish to be good pets.  Since they are confined to a tank, they are less interactive than conventional pets like dogs or cats. People may think of a fish tank as simple home décor but my cichlid, Zenon, offers much more than that. Not only is it calming for me to sit and watch her swim —but within the three years that I’ve had her, I’ve learned to find peace in the process of cleaning her tank.

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When my sister and I walked into the fish store three years ago, we were drawn to the pretty pink fish with rainbow eyes, secluded in a small tank while the other cichlids were grouped together in a larger one. The employees told us that she was aggressive and needed to be on her own. We didn’t believe them until he stuck his finger in her tank and she dashed to bite him. Luckily, he got away. I felt a connection with this fish, because at the time, I felt angry and secluded too. I knew she just needed some love, and my sister and I wanted to give it to her.

 

Now, Zenon, still fierce and with more personality than I’ve ever seen in a fish, is at peace, because she is at home. The running water of her filter has become soothingly white noise for me, and I love to come home and watch her swim across the tank to greet me at the front door. She may not be able to play fetch, but I’m thankful to have her companionship.