A bad day, a good day.

A very small thing compared to all the grief people are feeling; most of the fish in the tank have died.  The girl in the fish shop was wrong; Mephisto's changed colouring was not about preparing to mate. She had the parasite known as Velvet/Rust, and she must have brought it with her. It's very contagious and kills everything,even though I have been  frantically trying to treat it. There are only two fish left, and they are on their way out, showing signs of distress.  I have asked larians to get some oil of cloves from the pharmacy this morning, and then I will euthanise them.

And that will be that for the aquarium. Even if I was going to have more fish, I will never go back to that shop; with correct advice I could have saved most of the tank.

Then I must find some smiles, cos today is my brother's 50th, and we are going round there this evening. It will be fine.

But I am so sorry,  poor little fish.