Subtitle: From Bacteria Battles to Fishy Friendships

Well, here we are...

The third (and fingers crossed, final) chapter in what I’ve come to call The Great Tank Saga. For those of you who’ve been along for the whole ride, thank you for your emotional support and gentle nods of understanding as I navigated the wild, unpredictable world of aquarium ownership. And if you’re just tuning in now—welcome! Buckle up, because this story includes drama, loss, resilience, and a fish named Shrimp.

Let me start by saying: I’ve been putting off writing this update for a while now. Why? Because anyone who’s had an aquarium knows that things can go sideways fast. One minute you’re admiring your underwater paradise, and the next you’re Googling, “Why is my fish staring blankly at the filter?” or “Can one fish single-handedly destroy an ecosystem?”
But now that it’s been well over a month with no chaos, mystery illnesses, or filter meltdowns, I feel confident enough to share some good news.

The Tank Has New Tenants!
After some heartbreak and more water testing than a municipal treatment facility, our beloved Gary the pleco is no longer flying solo. That’s right—we’ve introduced some new finned friends into the mix!
Joining Gary are:
• Mango & Pineapple – Two stylish, spotted orange-and-yellow mollies who glide through the tank like they own the place. (Spoiler alert: they kinda do.)
• Shrimp & Sushi – The red-tailed platies with names that may make you hungry but definitely bring a splash of comedy to the aquarium. Yes, I named them. Yes, I may have been a little hungry at the time.

They’ve all settled in beautifully. Mango is the social butterfly, always zipping up to the glass when someone walks by. Pineapple is a bit more chill, the cool cousin who doesn’t talk much but always knows what’s going on. Shrimp and Sushi? They’re the comedic relief, always bopping around and photobombing Mango’s solo swims.

And Gary? He’s still doing his thing. Minding his own business, chilling in his little cave like the tank elder he is. He’s basically the wise old monk of the tank—except he eats algae and doesn’t dispense much advice.

Plants, But Make Them Fake
Now, I did try to go the natural route with live plants—because nothing says “aquascape goals” like a lush underwater jungle. Unfortunately, the store was fresh out. (Apparently there’s a run on aquatic plants? Who knew.)
So for now, the tank is filled with some very convincing fake greenery. The fish don’t seem to mind. In fact, they love darting in and out of the plastic leaves like it’s their personal fishy amusement park.

From Murky to Magical
Let me just say, we’ve come a long way from the dark days of mystery bacteria and panic Googling. With a full arsenal of water treatments, pH balancers, and possibly one or two unnecessary gadgets (don’t judge), we’ve officially turned the tide.
The water is clear. The fish are happy. The filter hums with the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.

Here’s to Fishy Futures
It’s funny how invested you can get in something as small as a 10-gallon tank. But these tiny swimmers have brought a surprising amount of joy into our daily lives. Watching them swirl around their plastic plants, coexist in peaceful fishy harmony, and hover curiously whenever we walk by—it’s oddly calming. Dare I say… therapeutic?
So here’s to Gary, Mango, Pineapple, Shrimp, and Sushi. May your waters stay clean, your flakes be plentiful, and your plastic plants forever unchewed.

Until the next fishy fiasco (hopefully not anytime soon)…

– The Accidental Aquarist