Happy 5th, Bananas!

Hard to believe, but our cool little fish hits the big oh-five today!

The above photo is from a few years ago -- like me, it appears Bananas has a case of vitiligo. He's even paler in this more recent photo, taken right after I brought him home a decorative Brontosaurus Rex...

Seems like just yesterday that we first said hello (and then quickly lost his pal Matt Hasselbeck), and then celebrated his six-month, one-year and two-year birthdays.

Long may he swim!
***

Happy 2nd, Bananas!

Captain Bananas hits the big oh-two today!

More specifically, it was two years ago today that I brought him home (along with Matt Hasselbeck (RIP))... CB is actually somewhat older than two years, though I don't know by how much (he was but a wee thang when I bought him at the pet store, for like $1.49)... Incidental-like, that same day I saw the Rolling Stones and Detroit Cobras, and Evel Knievel turned 68. He dead.

Captain Bananas (aka Mr. Bonkers, as my pal Jen calls him) loves Halloween, hence the scary bat. Also on his tank is a scary witch.

Aieee! We love Bananas!
***

Happy Arrival Day, Bananas!

Captain Bananas hits the big zero-one today.

Though we don't know Bananas's actual birth date, it was one year ago today that I brought home both Captain Bananas and Matt Hasselbeck. "Arrival Day" comes from this book, in which these parents hold an annual celebration upon the day the baby they adopted became theirs (because they didn't know the kid's actual birthday).

We had to say goodbye to Matt, but Bananas seems to be thriving. In August he suddenly started turning white, but the guy at the fish store said it's no big deal. You can see his pale patches in the above photo, showing him eating his Arrival Day dinner.

Semi-related note: Captain Bananas's distant cousin Leonard is featured in the Seattle Aquarium's current ad campaign. I like his pirate costume and haunted tank.
***

Captain Bananas Report

It was six months ago today that we brought home Matt Hasselbeck and Captain Bananas. Matt didn't last a week (we couldn't revive him with Ick Clear Tank Buddies), but Bananas is still with us. Eliza and I discussed replacing Matt with another fish (to be named Seneca Wallace, of course), but decided that since Bananas seems happy and healthy on his own, why rock the tank?

Captain Bananas Fun Facts™

· He's a Ryukin goldfish.

· His tank is decorated with dark blue rocks, three plastic plants, and a Penn-Plax treasure chest and "Action Skeleton."

· He usually eats TetraFin Goldfish Flakes, but also enjoys TetraFin Goldfish Crisps, Hikari Oranda Gold pellets, and freeze-dried tubifex worms. He also likes to gobble rocks and spit them back out.

· Around the first of each month, his tank gets a thorough cleaning: I stir up the rocks to loosen up the poop and stuff and I rinse off all the decorations. Then I replace the filter and about half the water, and finally I scrub the inside of the glass. His water's nitrate level is usually a safe 10-to-20 ppm, and I keep an eye on the pH level too, adding proper chemicals as necessary.

· One time I found him floating upside-down. Sometimes he seems bloated and, when not fighting to swim downward, he helplessly bobs to the surface. That one time I think he fell asleep while bloated and turned belly-up, but luckily I was there to waken him and snatch him back from the abyss. This concerns us, and we're not sure why it happens -- most likely it has to do with what we're feeding him (and/or how much), or the water's composition, or global warming.

· He has two theme songs: the first is sung to the tune of "Yes, We Have No Bananas": "Yes, it's Captain Bananas/ He is the best fish in the world!" The other one is set to the tune of "Frosty the Snowman": "Captain Bananas/ Is the best fish in the world!"

· I submitted a photo of his tank to the TetraCare Aquarium Showcase, but they haven't posted it yet (I'm guessing it'll appear someplace after #67, where they've been stalled for awhile).

Captain Bananas photo by Eliza Truitt Photography.
***

Say Goodbye to My Little Friend

Matt Hasselbeck, we hardly knew ye.

Yesterday your namesake suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee; today you sadly had to be sidelined for all eternity. Thank you for the six days of joy you brought to the lives of myself, Eliza, and Captain Bananas.
***

Say Hello to My Little Friends

I'd like you all to meet the latest additions to my family, Matt Hasselbeck and Captain Bananas. Please don't exclude them because they're different.
***