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a bully no more

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2011.10.11

I've taken steps to remove a bully that's been plaguing our lives recently.

No, not our mayor, who is an entertaining fellow in these troubled times.

It's our clown loach. It's essentially turned what should be a peaceful community tank into a frenzied terror. Having hounded two smaller loaches to death, it's also torn up all of the fins on an angelfish and keeps the smaller fish cowering under the plants. Some of the duels I've seen between the loach and angel are simply amazing—I wouldn't have guessed that two fighting fish of different species could wind up with their jaws briefly locked.

I've captured the thing and set it in a separate bucket with a large plant and an airstone/sponge filter for company. On Saturday, I'll take it to a pet store that's agreed to take it in.

rand()m quote

If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

—Thomas Paine