Homecoming! Hurrah!

Today after work I traipsed out into the city to adopt my fish. It was kind of dreary and rainy, and after filling my super-cute shoes with puddle water this morning, I decided I needed a pick-me-up. So after packing up my bag and hooking my bright yellow umbrella onto my wrist, I set off into the wilds.

My destination was this fantastic little aquarium shop in the Chinese section of South Philly, down the street from a corner store filled with live ducks, geese, and chickens for purchase. The shop has a wee little doorway, but once you get inside they have actually built a large-ish koi pond into the floor, so you go by the cash register and over a bridge to get to the fish tanks.

After speaking with the man in the shop, he helped me fetch Juan Carlos and Howard from the tank. They were meant to be together – he got them in a single swipe of the net! I think Howard was counseling Juan Carlos through this stressful time. In they went to their little baggie.

Then – glorious news! For the size tank I have, I could easily fit another fish. Or so I have chosen to believe based on our mutual pointing and gesticulation. Perhaps he meant that they should never be left alone, and tomorrow I will find that Juan Carlos was the victim of a horrendous, scaly coup. But for now, hurrah! Triplets! I immediately chose my third fish and named him Einstein, because he has a mad scientist look to him. The fish man scooped him out, and I was on my way out to the bus stop.

When I arrived home, the trio, rattled but generally unharmed from their journey on Philadelphia public transit (oh, they are so human! Except . . .not. . .), got acclimated to their new digs.

And so, dear world, now that they are home, may I present. . .

Juan Carlos Alfonso Victor Maria de Borbon y Borbon-Dos Sicilias (AKA Juan Carlos I)!

Howard!

and special guest,

Einstein!

When I let them into their tank, they immediately began to investigate.

Howard, overseeing the royal treasury.

Juan Carlos, viewing his riches.

Howard and Juan Carlos, immediately getting down to the business of ruling their new kingdom.

And Einstein, immediately demonstrating that I went in completely the wrong direction naming him.

Einstein, eating rocks.

Einstein, head-butting his own reflection.

Sigh. I will have to do some kind of rehab with Einstein to bring him up to grade level. But all in all, the boys seem to like their new home, and I am delighted to have them here at last!

Stick around – coming up! The babies’ first feeding, and Steph recounts some of the amazing resources available online for fish lovers and normal people alike.