Remember that fish tank I told you about last fall? Well, amazingly, all six fish we started out with are still alive. I consider this a miracle on par with the resurrection.
But about the tank: Greenish-brownish crud grows inside of it (and, yes, I know the proper name is “algae,” but “greenish-brownish crud” paints a far more accurate mental picture). And because I’m borderline OCD and completely anal-retentive, the first time the greenish-brown crud started taking over, I moved the fish into a fish bowl, completely emptied the tank and scrubbed everything inside of it, to include the rocks.
Not so many days later, I noticed that the greenish-brown crud was growing on everything again. And despite being borderline OCD and completely anal-retentive, I sure as shit wasn’t going through the whole empty-the-tank-and-scrub-the-rocks thing again. So, in seeking an alternative solution to controlling our algae problem, I purchased the dude you see above, who is known as an “algae eater.”
Within 24 hours of dropping him in the tank, he had cleaned up all the algae. He now represents the best 99¢ I’ve ever spent.
Zan, who was with me when I bought the algae eater, right away named him Sucky … and because the name was so accurate based on the way he uses his mouth to suction himself onto everything in sight, and because Zan had no inkling of the word’s negative connotation, I really couldn’t think of a good reason to object.
There’s something very entertaining about hearing two little kids repeatedly use the word “sucky.”
Speaking of sucky … did I mention that illness continues to plague my household? After sleeping on the couch last night, I spent the first half of the day at home with the kids while my wife went to the doctor. After she returned, I took both kids to the pediatrician. All three of them are now taking antibiotics. Amazingly, I have not fallen ill despite being immersed in this germ factory for the past six days. (And I’m sure I’ll regret announcing that. Please pretend I never said anything.)
One week from tonight, we’re driving up to Boston to visit my family and attend a wedding. If I actually make it from now through the end of that visit without getting sick, I might have to reassess my position on the existence of God.
I love these janitor fish! They take care of the worst part of having fish – cleaning the greenish-brown crud.
Hope your family is better soon. We’ll all pretend we didn’t read that one part…
AAAAAHA HA HA HA HA HA HA! Sucky! That’s friggin’ hilarious. Sucky, sucky, sucky. Love it!
Sucky rocks!! And you won’t get sick…now that you’ve talked about it, a force field has been put up around you. That’s the rule…
Also, eating a clove of garlic, finely minced, in a sppon opf sweet yogurt, wouldn’t hurt either.
I have a strong stomach and garlic in sweet yoghurt makes me shudder. What is it supposed to do for you?
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and immune booster. It’s also been part of my hearty (knock on wood) family’s arsenal for generations. It’s also really effective in controlling blood pressure.
Most effective if consumed in its natural form, I finely mince a chubby organic clove and mix it into a tablespoon of fruity yogurt to get it down. You really don’t suffer at all—the yogurt kind of buffers it and it will give your immune system a nice boost. Been doing this for years, daily, and I swear by it.
Side benefit: it keeps most vampires at bay….
A fishtank is not complete without a Plecostomus! I went through at least five of them, all named Fred. Wonderful little creatures. If only there were a similar counterpart for litter boxes….
Those Chinese sucky fish are AWESOME! Prettier than plecostomus and they don’t grow as big or poop as much.
Sucky. Just Sucky.
Pam
Oh, that fish. That Sucky crud eating little guy. <)–///—<…
He's does a good job. You can see right through the glass. Thank you for sharing.
Hope your family is well soon and you don't come down with your own version of what they had.
You need a ‘sucky’ for all those germs in your house. [Also, cool pic.]
I too am a beginner fish keeper and I named my sucker fish Cowboy. Because I live in Dallas….and the Cowboys suck. Get it? HA.
I amuse myself greatly.