Pegasus Posted April 21, 2002 Report Share Posted April 21, 2002 Hi Members, Reading the Live Food section brought back a few memories, and although this is not a breeding experience it was at the time rather funny. As I mentioned, I used to show fish and my main ones were Oscars and Angels. The Angels were around 8" tip to tip and had beautiful red eyes. I decided, because the show was pretty local, I would take "Clarry". Clarry was a Clarias batrachus (an albino, eel like catfish with real long whiskers and a huge mouth) He, or she, was a real friendly character and would let you tickle its belly, but you had to keep your fingers clear of its big gaping mouth. I decided I would take it to the show and see how it went on. I had a two-foot Perspex tank so I popped him in there and set off with the Oscars and Angels in huge plastic bags. You get to know your fish after a while, and I knew old Clarry and the tricks he would get up to, like trying to lift the hood off the nine footer, and other antics, so I firmly taped the glass cover over the perspex tank with him safely in a plastic bag inside. With the fish settled and released the judging began and all contestants were ushered out of the judging area until they had made up their minds. Meanwhile there was a great auction going on and I was spending big (at that time) on plants. Suddenly there was an almighty crash with the sound of breaking glass. Everyone turned to see four red-faced judges chasing Clarry around the judging hall, towels in hand, and sweat pouring from their faces. Old Clarry was on the move, (His favorite pastime) and could he move. After ten minutes of fruitless chasing we finally had him cornered under a radiator. Seconds later he was happily back in the tank giving his usual big grin that he seemed to give with his enormous mouth that seemed to cover his whole face. "Is this #$%$# thing yours" bellowed the judge. "Err Mmm" mumbled the red-faced Bill. "Get the damn #@#$%## thing out of my sight, It's disqualified" he yelled as the sweat dripped from his nose. Needless to say, Clarry didn't get taken to shows after that. These fish can travel miles overland at great speeds, (Mine was about 16" long) just like the eel, which they may be related to, I don't know, but if you want a comical friend, the Clarias batrachus is hard to beat. They just about talk to you with their gestures and long whiskers that are constantly on the move, but a word of warning, just watch your fingers, they pack a nasty bite. Oh... the show. I got a first for the Angels, and a second for the Oscars. Personlly I think the main judge had a thing going with the winner, an attractive young female that always seemed to get first prize for her Oscars which many felt were not even up to show standard. Happy days, great times Pegasus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 22, 2002 Report Share Posted April 22, 2002 A fish that you can pat, take for a walk and chase around the yard? You shoulda won, not been disqualified! You were robbed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted April 22, 2002 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2002 Tell me about it Sorry, but I made a mistake with the name, :oops: so I have edited the above. I had a Cobitus taenia, but the fish in question above was a Clarias batrachus, a great difference in size and features. Told you my eyes were bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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