Our Extended family now has "6 tiger barbs"

The previous Sunday, 6th Sep 2008, we welcomed them. When we were back at home, late in the evening, our hall was smelling of rotten water. According to Ved this was the case since last 2 days. We saw that this fish bowl was there lying on the wooden rack before the house 306, down the isle. And the security person was scrutinizing it. The bachelors who were residing in that house had vacated the house and left these things. So we realized that the source of smell was this standing water.

But to my surprise when I looked at that bowl amongst the dirty water and water plant, I could see some fishes swimming. I did not have the heart to leave them there and took them home, thinking let me take care of them, till the time they survive.

None of us have any clue on bring up fishes. So from next day the mission of educating myself started. Staring from, which variety of fish were they and how to clean the bowl, what to feed them.... Thanks to internet, I was fish savvy after sometime. Luckily Parul has 2 goldfish at home. And she gave me some fish food to feed then.

After looking at the image of fishes in the net, I came to know, our fishes are called Tiger barbs and are best kept in large schools. Tiger barbs can often resort to fin nipping if they are kept in too small schools but this is seldom a problem if they are kept in large schools(of minimum 6).

With all the gathered knowledge, I cleaned up the fish tank, with half of the original water remaining. I took out the live water plant, fishes, and cleaned the pebbles and bowl. Made a note, not to put in the kitchen or drinking water. We had stored water from bathroom tap for this task. After the clean up, i could see only 5 fishes and was so sad at the thought that one of them had died. But after sometime all 6 of them were rigorously swimming all over.

We have put them on the Dining table, below the light. Daily around 7 in the evening we feed them fish food. Tia does that, she looks forward to this regime. Navya too now points to them, when asked "where are the fishes?"

Hope they live long and keep flourishing.