As I mentioned in this previous blog as an addendum at the bottom of the post, we were saddened to lose all of our saltwater fish in our 35-gallon fish tank. Today we purchased new occupants for the tank.

Here are the new clown fish (Nemo & Marlin).

They are tiny compared to our previous ones but they will grow. They look happy in their new home!

Here is the chocolate chip starfish making himself at home already.

Two cleaner shrimp that keep the fish in the tank clean by eating the parasites and food off of them.

A Diamond Watchman Goby joined the new tank family. His job is to eat sand and digest the food in the sand and expell the sand out through his gills. It’s amazing to watch him in action! He is cute little fellow, don’t you think?

Here is a Royal Dottyback who is a little shy but came out to say ‘hello.’

And last but not least, for there will be more to add soon, is this adorable hermit crab.

As I mentioned before I wrote a children’s story about a a hermit crab that we had previously named, Clarence Henry. He was quite a unique character because he only had one claw and three legs. My story tells about how he adjusted to the tank in his condition and how over time he grew another claw and leg. Children and adults will be fascinated by this fact. I did take numerous photos of his claw and leg as they developed. It was incredible to witness. My husband will be working on that book over the next six months or so. I have two other books for him to work on. Poor fellow, I work him to the bone!

Thank you for stopping by to share in our joy over our new saltwater family of fish. It takes away some of the pain of losing the others.

Blessings & hugs,

Janice

Addendum:  11/21/16 – I am sad to report that Goby and Royal Dottyback did not make it. Unfortunately they were stung by an animone my husband purchased for the clown fish to host (accept as their home base). We woke up two mornings recently to find a fish that had escaped the tank. It appears they were stung when they got too close to the animone and flew up and out of the tank. It was so sad to see and upsetting to find. Poor little things! We will not purchase any more fish for the time being. The clown fish are the only ones that can get near the animone and not be harmed.

Here are two more fish that were stung by the animone, Hawkfish and Copper Striped Butterfly. They were both beautiful! The crab, starfish and shrimp are all doing well, thank goodness.

This is a new fish that is doing well so far, a Purple Dottyback, we got in place of the the Yellow Dottyback.