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It was a cloudless summer day in Dallas Texas. The kind of day you can see the heat waves rising from the blacktop. My aviator sunglasses were having trouble denying the searing Texas sun as I walked into the fish store that fateful day in 1975. Once inside the store, I removed my sunglasses and paused for my eyes to adjust. Waiting for me, in the center of the store, was a 36-inch diameter round acrylic tank. The only two things in that tank were a Snowflake Eel and Pinnatus Batfish. I was hooked. I ogled that rig. I looked at that setup the way a fat kid looks at the last piece of chocolate cake. I wanted it. On some level, I needed it.
I’d never owned a fish tank in my life. I didn’t have any idea how to keep a fish alive. But on that day, none of that mattered. I had to have one. Like most college students, I was heavy on want and light of wallet. Alas, that rig would escape me.
Later that year, I would setup a 29 gallon saltwater tank with a hang on the back filter. That would be the beginning of a life-long love for the hobby. Now my son and his son both have reef tanks.
As a side note, I never did get the Snowflake Eel and Pinnatus Batfish. Like the gorgeous red headed girl with the emerald green eyes that sat next to me in trig class, I will forever have their beauty in my memory. Right along side the haunting thought of what might have been.
Yes they are. I see the black/orange and tannish one at Tropic Isle in Framingham MAWow. I have not thought about batfish in many years. Are they still available? Never really see them.
Wow. I have not thought about batfish in many years. Are they still available? Never really see them.
No wasn’t that oneVia Aqua Multi-Skimmer?
Winner - winner!Skilter!
Inverts all day, every day. They're so freakin' cool. I like to imagine I perceive the world like one of my anemones and wander around the house very slowly with my eyes closed and arms wailing about like tentacles hoping I catch some food or liquor by chance.
The wife and dogs generally don't like this game.
Cucumbers, starfish, shrimp, crabs, anemones - AWESOME!!!111one. Inverts need some love too.
Skilter!
Winner - winner!
Haha, I had two of them. They actually kinda worked.Skilter!