A fish to remember:Fatty Arbuckle: April 15 - Oct. 13, 2005

A true pioneer, Fatty Arbuckle was introduced to our community aquarium on its opening day, April 15, 2005. She was a vibrant member of the community and a leader among the molly population.

Fatty was no stranger to fame, or to harassment. Neither was she a stranger to the protection o an isolation tank.

Fatty twice filed harassment charges against Knuckles McGee, first on Aug. 8. Those charges never made it to trial. Then, on Sept. 12, she filed charges again. McGee was arrested and Arbuckle spent a weekend in isolation for her own safety.

Public opinion favored Arbuckle, who was seen as the victim of relentless harassment. Her attacker, McGee, was voted "Most Hated Fish of 2005."

Despite her legal battles, Arbuckle is most remembered in the role that meant the most to her -- as a mother. Her son, Gozer, was born Aug. 3.

"She was a wonderful mother to her only son," said Lucas the silver dollar. "By all accounts her son has grown into a caring and substantial fish, due in large part to her skills as a parent."

Cari Heelan, Arbuckle's owner, chooses to remember her fish in happier times.

"When I think of Fatty, I think of her passion for schooling, her love of family and her sense of adventure. She choose to stay rooted in the present, and in doing so she never got frozen by the problems in her past. She will be missed."