Three new babies found alive in aquarium!

A trio of baby fish were discovered in the big aquarium and transported to the safety of an isolation crib. Two marble mollies (pictured at right) and one tiny platy were discovered at 11:20 a.m. by the TankKeeper during routine tank maintenance. The tiny platy was apparently eaten by the marble molly babies over the lunch hour.

The twin marble mollies are large enough to register with the naked eye, while the smaller platy was so small our photographer wasn't even able to photograph it before it disappeared sometime around 1 p.m.

"What we believe we have here are two separate birth events," TankKeeper said after making the discovery. "We had two mothers -- one obviously a marble molly and the other most likely a Platy. There were likely many more babies but we were only able to discover and recover three."

The twin marble mollies, Napoleon and Josephine, appear to be in good health, tank officials said after examining both fry.

"We regret that the third baby died, but it was so small that natural selection intervened," said TankKeeper after learning of the platy's death.

Rock and roll dreams:Fish get letter from cousin Online Casino BTDino

Our community fish received a letter today from a famous relative who says he may visit the aquarium sometime this winter.

Online Casino BTDino, a fancy guppy, is one of the most famous freshwater fish in the country. His rock and roll recordings have won him critical acclaim and recognition from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Online Casino BTDino was a distant cousin of the late Fatty Arbuckle.

In a letter written by Online Casino BTDino on Nov. 19, the famous fish said "I long to be with all of you in the community aquarium and hope to drop in sometime this winter for a nice long visit."

Our fish were dazzled by the letter from their rock star relative.

"He is the biggest thing to ever happen to our community aquarium," said Sunny the sunburst platy. "I hope he does drop in for a visit. We could use some peppy music around here right now."

Online Casino BTDino is best known for his song "Livin' La Vida Aquatica," which rode the wave of salsa music popularity in the mid-1990s. Online Casino BTDino's new hit compilation "Online Casino BTDino: Skinned Alive" is now on sale at music stores nationwide.

Opening of world's biggest aquariumangers our community of tropical fish

Atlanta soon will open a huge window onto the sea with the Nov. 23 opening of the Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium. That has our community fish angry and worried -- worried about having to share the spotlight with such a massive new aquarium (pictured at right).

"I'm pretty well ticked off," said Aubrey the molly. "Who's going to care about the world's biggest molly when they can go to Atlanta and see the world's largest indoor aquarium. How will we compete? We can't. There's just no way. I tell you I'm mad as hell."

The Georgia Aquarium holds more than 8 million gallons of water and has the capacity to house more than 100,000 fish. That is a huge leap in size and capacity over the next largest aquarium -- Chicago's Shedd, which holds 5 million gallons of water to support 20,000 aquatic animals. Paled even more by comparison is our aquarium, which holds 70 gallons of water and can support as many as 40 fish.

All of our fish see this new aquarium as a direct threat to their popularity, and they are not happy about it, as we at Freshwater Adventures learned during our fish-on-the-street interviews.

"Someone ought to put a crack in that thing," said one glass catfish who refused to be identified. "It's just too big, too fast. It's a waste of money and a drain on the economy. The world just doesn't need an aquarium that big. If people want to see that many fish, let them jump in the damn ocean."

Jeff Swanagan, executive director of the Georgia Aquarium, isn't afraid of the criticism.

"We want to be the world's most engaging aquarium," Swanagan said recently. "We tried to use music and drama -- theater as well as science -- to achieve a connection between man and fish."

Our plecostomus wasn't sold on the idea, however.

"I'll give him a human to fish connection," the algae eater said. "How about my fist and his face? How's that for a connection?"

Perhaps our fish's fears are justified. The Georgia Aquarium expects 2.4 million visitors in the first year who will bring $1 billion into the city over the next five years. That's compared to our aquarium, which has 2.4 visitors each day who, frankly, have never paid a dime for the experience.

We sense troubled waters ahead. Indeed.

Danio found dead first thing Monday morning

Another day, another dead fish.

This morning a silver danio was found dead at tank bottom. Recently the fish had appeared listless and pale. The death was attributed to natural causes, tank officials said in a statement.

We at Freshwater Adventures were saddned by yet another loss to our community aquarium. It has recently been suggested that we spent most of our time giving attention to the Grim Reaper for his busy work.

The truth of the matter is an aquarium is a fragile environment filled with fragile creatures. The only constant in the aquarium is death.

As one famous molly once put it: "Doesn't matter how you slice it, ain't none of us getting out of here alive."

Catfish's dreams of hip hop career die hard

Glizzy Fizzy, one of four glass catfish in our community aquarium, has had the same dream since he was a little fry -- to become the world's most famous hip-hop artist.

Like many young dreamers, he spent his early days in school trying to convince his parents that hip hop was a solid future for a catfish.

"Dad called me a fool and slapped me down hard, yo," said Glizzy. "Mom was more understanding, but she wasn't down with my crown, either."

This lack of parental support didn't deter Glizzy. In fact, he used it to inspire his music.

"I ain't gonna be no bus driver
ain't nothing real to strive for
just me and my rhymes
gettin' nickels and dimes."

Glizzy is hoping for a record deal, but his tankmates remain skeptical.

"This whole hip hop thing is just insane," said Aubrey the marble molly. "That fool thinks he's going to be the next big thing, like Hillary Duff or something. I told him he should get a name, get a job, get a life!"

All the doubts in the world wouldn't keep Glizzy from dreaming, though.

"My music touches fish," he said. "They respond to it because it's real. That's all I've ever been. Real. If you can't take the hizzle, get out of the kizzle. You know what I'm saying?"

Lemon Drop dead!Lollipop becomes only surviving Corner Triplet

Lemon Drop the baby marble molly was found dead at 11:30 a.m. today in his net crib. The tiny fish was born Sept. 9, the same day as her siblings, Licorice and Lollipop.

"She was a cute little fish who never grew as fast as the others," Tankkeeper said today. "Like her sister before her, she had every gift but length of life. We know they are in a better place now."

Lemon Drop was a runt, barely growing at all since her birth months ago. Tank officials had long wondered if the baby fish would ever be able to survive outside of the net crib. Now, tragically, we will never know.

Lemon Drop was one of three "Corner Triplets," so named because they were discovered in the community aquarium's seedy west corner. The oldest triplet, Licorice, died in the net crib on Sept. 16, one week after her birth. The surviving Corner Triplet, Lollipop, appears to be doing well. Lollipop grew more quickly and was released into the aquarium Nov. 9.

Chubby Arbuckle, born Oct. 13, was the only fry in the crib net at the time of Lemon Drop's death. Chubby, the last daughter of Fatty Arbuckle and Knuckles McGee, is approaching pre-teen size and was released into the community aquarium at 2:45 p.m. so that tank officials could clean and examine the net crib, which will be decommissioned pending a federal investigation.

The other crib-bound babies -- the six so-called Platy Bunch -- are safe and sound in the neighboring plastic crib.

Tank officials report that Lemon Drop's remains were too small to conduct an autopsy. A burial at sea is planned.

Injuries prove fatal for red-tipped shark

Heckle the red-tipped shark died over the weekend while undergoing treatment at Dorothy Jean Memorial Hospital for a bulging eye and bleeding mouth.

The critically injured fish was taken to hospital late Friday afternoon and placed in an antifungal solution in hopes of reducing the swelling in his eye and mouth. Tank officials said they were unable to pinpoint the cause of Heckle's injuries.

Heckle is one of two red-tipped sharks added to the community aquarium by Eric Bowlin on July 12. The other shark, Jeckle, appears to be doing well despite his tankmate's ailment.

Tank officials have contacted Bowlin. No autopsy was performed, and Flush Brothers conducted a private funeral service this morning.

Red-tipped shark hospitalized

Heckle the red-tipped shark was taken via air ambulance to Dorothy Jean Memorial Hospital late this afternoon after tank officials discovered the fish lying on tank bottom with a bulging eye and bleeding mouth.

The critically injured fish was placed in an antifungal solution in hopes of reducing the swelling in his eye and mouth. Doctors are listing his condition as critical but remain guarded about the prognosis.

"Knuckles McGee suffered a similar ailment and overcame it with the same treatment we're now giving to Bruce," said TankKeeper. "We are hoping the fish will respond to this remedy."

Heckle is one of two red-tipped sharks added to the community aquarium by Eric Bowlin on July 12. The other shark, Jeckle, appears to be doing well despite his tankmate's ailment.

Tank officials have contacted Bowlin, who was unavailable for comment at press time.

Bardo released into community aquarium

Bardo the predominantly white marble molly was released from the net crib into the community aquarium at 9:45 a.m. today. The release occurred without fanfare, with only tank officials in attendance.

The little fish immediately sought out recent cribmate, Lollipop, who was released into the big tank on Wednesday. Bardo appears to be doing well, and as her size is equal to that of Lollipop, the two should do well.

Bardo is the third baby fish to be successfully released into our community aquarium. Orangejello, the first baby born in our aquarium, was released on Sept. 23.

Gozer was released Oct. 7 but was quickly returned to the safety of the net crib after being attacked by several large mollies. He died Oct. 24, most likely from injuries suffered during his botched release. Gozer was born Aug. 3 and was the runt who never grew strong enough to live outside the crib.

Lollipop was released on Wednesday and appears to be thriving as well.

Bardo was discovered in the aquarium and was originally thought to be the daughter of Fatty Arbuckle and Knuckles McGee. As she grew, however, it became apparent that Bardo is a pure-bred marble molly, meaning Fatty could not have been the mother.

Lemon Drop, born Sept. 9, and Chubby Arbuckle, born Oct. 13, remain in the crib net. Tank officials have no plans to release the tiny any time soon. The Platy Bunch are being kept in a separate isolation tank. All are eating and doing well.

Babies!:Mrs. Howell gives birth to the Platy bunch!

Six baby golden platys were found alive in our community aquarium at 11:15 a.m. today. The fish were discovered by Cari "mad eye" Heelan as they lay hidden at the base of the plant in the tank's west side.

The six babies were quickly captured and placed in the safety of the net crib. They were later transferred to their own isolation crib.

The platy bunch, as they are being called, are all healthy and doing well, according to tank officials. Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby and Cindy will be closely monitored during this early stage of development.

The platy bunch's parents, golden Platys Mr. and Mrs. Howell, are owned by Dave Admire. They were added to the tank Aug. 30 in the hopes that they would reproduce. Now, a mere two months later, they have delivered.

Babies, babies everywhere!

In the haste to find room for the new babies, a shuffle occurred in the net crib. Lollipop, whose growth was such that he was to be released on Friday, was set free without fanfare in order to ensure the safety of the newest additions to the crib.

Lollipop, who was born Sept. 9, appears to be adapting well to life in the big tank, and is often seen swimming hear the coral reef near Orangejello.

The other crib net residents are Licorice, Bardo and Chubby.

Licorice, the marble molly, was also born Sept. 9. She may be released soon as she is almost as big as her brother, Lollipop. Bardo and Chubby are the last known children of Fatty Arbuckle and were born on Oct. 13, the day their mother was murdered by Knuckles McGee. Gozer, another crib resident, died on Oct. 24.

Batboy found alive in our community aquarium!

Baffled scientists today discovered fabled Batboy alive and well in our community aquarium. The half-pint hellion was found hiding behind an artificial plant.

"He was ripping off leaves and trying to eat them but was unhappy with the plastic taste of it," said TankKeeper. "He's very strong, and that's one of the things that makes him so dangerous."

Tank officials tried unsuccessfully to capture Batboy but were finally able to lure the unpredictable, pointy-eared creature to the surface by dangling some cereal over the tank.

Batboy has been featured numerous time in Weekly World News, which over the years has offered two explanations for the mysterious creature's origin. Either he was a human baby raised by bats, the tabloid reports, or it a new species that fell of the normal course of human evolution during prehistoric times.

"We are happy to report that Batboy is gone and as far as we can tell, no fish were harmed during his unexpected visit to our aquarium," a tank deputy sheriff said. "It was a close call, but all appears to be well now."

Knuckles McGee banished to Petland Olathe

It's the end of an era.

Amid tight security, convicted fish killer Knuckles McGee this afternoon was transferred to Petland Olathe, where he will be rehabilitated and offered for sale.

So ends the tragic love story of Knuckles McGee and Fatty Arbuckle, whose love spawned many fry and a few harrassment charges before ending, tragically, in assassination and incarceration.

McGee's transfer came 20 days after a jury sentenced McGee to banishment from the main aquarium in the death of Fatty Arbuckle. Arbuckle was slain Oct. 13 after giving birth.

McGee was placed in an isolation tank moments after attacking Arbuckle. He remained incarcerated in the tiny plastic cell until today. Fish-watchers sympathetic to McGee's plight complained earlier this week that it seemed cruel to keep the fish confined for such a long period of time.

"People don't seem to understand that he killed another fish - a fish who was in the midst of childbirth, mind you, in cold blood," said tank police chief Jesse Barracuda in a statement issued Wednesday night. "We had a responsibility to keep Mr. McGee out of the general population and away from our other female mollies."

Transferring a problem fish takes time, TankKeeper explained, because not many pet stores want to take on a fish that has been convicted of fishicide.

After days of calling, Petland Olathe, located at 2008 E. Santa Fe in the Olathe Landings Shopping Center, agreed to accept McGee as a non-refundable return. PetSmart Olathe, where McGee was purchased last spring, has a policy that prohibits the acceptance of return fish after a period of 14 days.

Two armed guards drove McGee the two blocks that separated his holding cell from the pet store. Once at Petland, McGee was removed from his transfer bowl and placed in a plastic bag for re-conditioning prior to release in a store display aquarium filled with other mollies of various color and gender.

"He's a real good-looking molly," said Rick, who works in the fish department and handled the bowl-to-tank transfer. "He should sell right away. We'll be sure to warn everyone that he's quite the lady killer."

McGee's owner, Guy Fish, declined to comment for this article but is said to be considering what fish he would add to the aquarium if and when tank officials extend the invitation.

President pledges $3 billion for ick research

President Bush announced today that he would ask Congress for $3 billion for ick research to prepare aquariums nationwide for a possible ick pandemic.

The pledge came one day after Bush said he would see $7.1 billion in emergency funding to prepare the country for a possible flu pandemic.

"A pandemic,whether it's flu or ick, is a lot like a forest fire," Bush said. "If caught early, it might be extinguished with limited damage; if allowed to smolder undetected, it can grow to an inferno that spreads quickly beyond our ability to control it."

In a speech at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, Bush said that ick only affects fish when they are weak or stressed, but added that health officials must be ready.

Bush said that health officials were concerned about ick, which has killed several fish in our community aquarium since April.

"If the parasite were to develop the capacity for sustained human-to-human transmission, it could spread quickly across the globe," Bush said.

During his visit to the aquarium, Bush marveled at the aquarium fish on display. When asked what he thought of the bottom-feeders, he responded: "I don't allow the press corps to call my administration that and I won't allow you to do it, either."

The administration's ick plan provides funding for early detection, containment and treatment of an outbreak.

Most policy-makers on Capitol Hill are skeptical that such a proposal will meet with congressional approval.

"Many times I've watched this administration's ideas get pushed through without a hitch, and I've often said, 'Ick, Ick, Ick!' to myself," said one anonymous legislator. "I was actually describing the policies. Who would've thought they would actually try to spend federal funds on a fish disease. It's just plain dumb."

Sister blog ceases publication after 2 months

Our sister blog, Salty Speculation, ceased publication on Friday, Oct. 28. The final post came at 11:48 a.m., at which time Publisher Saline Nymph announced the decision to shut down the blog forever.

"I am officially resigning my position as editor of the blog for the saltwater aquarium," Nymph wrote. "The fish will continue to thrive, though the blog will not. Please visit them and always give them your support. Remember: fish are people too."

Salty Speculation documented the life of fish in the saltwater aquarium located in the main office.

Fish-watchers grew frustrated with the blog's intermittent updates, but improvements were being made to the blog just prior to the end.

"Writing about fish is hard work," said Freshwater Adventures Publisher William Randolph SeaHorse. "I am reminded of the old Navy expression, 'If you can't take the pressure, get out of the water.'"

Salty Speculation's run of publication began Aug. 24 and ended almost two months later. The blog is located at http://saltyspeculation.blogspot.com. Officials have not said if the blog will be taken offline or left as a monument to unfinished business.