the lonely fish - bubble eyed Gold fish...

In Sangam literature, “Neithal” is the landscape of Sea, shore and related things. Water is always an attraction – the sea, the river or the pond (the mightiest, the flowing one or the still water) – in whatever form have their own charm.  Standing near a waterbody watching can be a great stress reliever.  In ponds, the fishes will charm you.  In Aquarium or in a small tank, you can observe them more – the vertebrates swinging their fins are unbridled attraction – whether they get too cramped and feel uneasy would never be known to us though. Some keep pets for companionship and enjoyment – the most popular ones are known for their loyalty or playful traits.  Whether fish will fall under this category and whether they indeed recognize people is not known but many do keep fish as pets.  This habit has increased with lots of Japanese fishes and beliefs in feng shu, vasthu  and others increasing.

Gold fish in a small round bowl looks pretty  pleasing to eyes! ~ whether they also would survive among the others in a tank is not exactly known to me.  Some species of Gold fish and koi are amongst the most common pets of modern aquarium.  Gold fish exist in a far wider range of colours than the name implies.  Gold fish are associated with ancient pottery of Ming dynasty and there are 100s of varieties.  It is considered one of the earliest domesticated fish.    The goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes.  Goldfish breeds vary greatly in size, body shape, fin configuration and colour.  There are some who like keeping many varieties of fish together – community aquaria.  The ones inside have to be compatible in temperament [requirement of any good society]  and water requirements.

Goldfish have long been popular pets in the UK and an estimated 12million fish are kept indoors, with a further 18million in ponds across the country. Typically the goldfish grow up to eight inches from eye to tail depending on their environment. There are many species that make successful community fishes. Some of these are : Gouramis, Guppies, barbs, tetras, mollies, catfishes etc.,  Generally good looking fishes are sought after the most ~ or so one thought !!   -  here is something read in Daily Mail about the loneliest fish in the pond; It is not so cute looking - bubble-eyed goldfish that  has to swim on his own in case he bumps into others and bursts his eyes.  The not so usual fishes are reported to have become must-have pets in South Africa. 

It is a fish that lives a solitary life to avoid bursting his balloon eyes. Despite its delicate nature, the fish is becoming a popular pet in South Africa. Certainly the most exotic of the goldfish Breeds, these are similar to Celestials, but have two sacs (fluid filled bladders) just under the eyes, giving them an endearing puppy-like appearance. It is the Bubble Eye Gold fish,  a small variety of fancy goldfish with upward pointing eyes that are accompanied by two large fluid-filled sacs. It is a dorsal-less fish, and good specimens will have a clean back and eye bubbles well matched for colour and size. The bubbles are fragile and the fish should be kept separately from boisterous types; the sacks could also get  sucked into filters and siphons in a aquarium.  The Bubble Eye normally has an evenly curved back that lacks a fin. The pair of large pouches of skin attached under its eyes jiggle as it swims.  The eyes of the Bubble Eye goldfish are normal in the young fry, but will start to develop eye bladders three months after hatching.

Bubbled-eyed goldfish are an exotic goldfish breed that first appeared in China in the 1900s, although their exact origin is unknown. The fish's upward pointing eyes are accompanied by two large fluid-filled sacs. These sacs are so fragile that the tanks they live in have to be kept free of all marine life, accessories and water plants because the slightest touch could cause a puncture. However, if the sacs pop the pets are able to regrow them.

Bubble Eyes dont see or swim well, and it gets worse the larger the sacs get as they get older. As the sacs are fluid filled, it is difficult to handle them outside water and one needs to support the entire head (sacs included) with  hand.

Strange World, strange animals and strange people having them….

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

29th July 2013.

News and photos source : www.dailymail.co.uk