A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper

A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper
Ever wonder what its like to share your world with a bunch of crazy critters? Tune in to find out!

Monday, May 19, 2014

SteveIrwin's New Ball

Who buys a ball for a fish?  Me, that's who...

I like to change things up in SteveIrwin's tank every few weeks so he has new arrangements to explore and new area's to look at - after all - he is in a pretty tiny space with just a bit over 3 gallons of tank. I found this purple ball at the pet store - its was on sale for $4.99 and I figured he might like it because he spends a lot of time tucked between his heater and the side of the tank or nestled in his plant.  It's fascinating to watch how a fish brain works:


  • Ball get's put in the tank and first instinct is to scare it or kill it - whichever is necessary.  Fins go up in an aggressive stance and we show the ball who is boss around here.
  • Then since the ball is indifferent to us - we must be indifferent to the ball - he literally spent time ignoring the ball - swimming with his back to the ball - pretending it wasn't there.
  • After about 45 mins he decided to check out the outside of the ball - it was okay but inside the ball looked kinda scary so he spent a good bit of time swimming right outside each opening of the ball.
  • Then he decided to check out the inside of the ball - swimming through using all sorts of different combinations of the three openings - in the side and out the top, in the side and out the other side, in the top and out the side - he appeared to be having much fun.
  • At last - he settled in to hang out in his new spot - he seems to really like it which makes me happy!
He seems to be on the upswing healthwise - done with antibiotics and eating regularly.  Still cautiously optimistic - but he is a pretty stubborn little guy...so hopefully he will be with is for a good long while...




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