Meet Rocky...A Show and Tell....

I had a few ideas for this week's show and tell but this one takes main priority. I want you all to meet Rocky.

This is Rocky. He is a cichlid (see-klid) and the coolest fish I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Cichlids are notorious for being aggressive and within a few hours of his introduction to the tank my other cichlid turned on him. Camille (the other fish) really hurt him, and we were certain he wouldn't make it. All of his fins had been bitten and his tail too. He even has a nasty spot on his belly where Camille got him.

I felt horrible. I really liked this little guy and I was mortified that I had caused this to happen. We decided to help him however we could so we scooped him up and for the time being we put him in the bag from the pet store. We put holes in it so that the water could flow in and out freely and hoped for the best. The bag kept him away from Camille but allowed him the ability to move all around half the tank. We were going to get a divider but my tank is really small and we found out that Rocky can sometimes wedge himself into the wrinkles in the bag and rest upright, so we left it.

Every night we go to bed expecting to find him gone the next day. He spends a lot of his time on his side or upside down because he can't propel himself or balance, but he fights so hard. His fins and tail have started to grow back now and he is eating again too. I'm so proud of him! I know that sounds silly but I am. He's made it eight days! We named him Rocky because he's such a fighter.

I was reluctant to share him because I was afraid of the judgement I might get from some, but in a silly way he is inspiring. I hated for everyone to miss out on how cool he was if something happened to him. He has some serious courage and strength for such a little guy. I can't tell you how many times a day I roll my eyes at myself. I feel silly getting so worked up over a five dollar fish but I can't help it. I want so badly for him to get better and be ok. He is such a perfect guy for us to have in our lives right now. We are struggling so hard with infertility and we've been knocked down so many times. Part of me thinks that if he can make it so can we.

This is Camille. Just so you can put a name with the fin. We will be moving her back to my mom's school in a couple of weeks so Rocky can have total reign over the tank. He deserves it!