|
One of my best friends was here today with her kids. She is re-setting up thier tanks after a move, and I let the kids each pick out their "own" baby guppies to get them started.
My friend really likes my darters- she and her eldest son(a 10yr old fishing maniac who told me he caught a 2 foot cat this summer) were very taken with the idea that I caught these myself, and that you really can fin interesting and pretty fish all over the place where we live.
Before he saw them, he was teasing me about putting bait in my tank, but was VERY intrigued by them once he saw the tank. He had lots of questions about how to keep them, what they need in the tank, why the soil/sand substrate, why live plants, how come one tank has algae & two don't, why a current,etc. He was fascinated by how they hang out in front of the spray bar. He didn't believe me when I pointed out the two that came from a drainage ditch near a farm("just like the one in front of your house!")until I told him about the leech and showed him the scar on my leg from it. That hit JUST the right combination of reality and creepiness and he was hooked(no pun intended).
He asked his mom if once he proves he is old enough to take care of his own tank all by himself(with the guppies) maybe she would let him have a tank with native fish in it too. He's also excited to tell his friends.
HOW COOL IS THAT??? This is SOO part of what captivated me about having natives. Yes, yes, I adore the darters-- but even more so I like the opportunity to educate people about the cool stuff that exists right here at home, and hoped that this could foster interest in getting/keeping our local waterways clean.
I sent them home with all sorts of stuff to get their guppies started & look forward to fostering his interest. He's a scary-smart kid, this is going to be fun!
|