The Good, the Bad and the Barbeled
Posted: 29 May 2013, 02:45
So, I was talking with some friends online about this site. It was kind of confusing and I don't totally understand where the conversation went myself, but somehow it ended up with this... short story of sorts. I haven't been on PlanetCatfish very long myself, so it might not be totally accurate. Hope you enjoy!
Also, sorry for leaving out the African catfish forum. I'm new!
• • •
High noon.
All’s normal in the town of the PlanetCatfish forums. The sun beats down the dusty street, but under the cover of roof and darkness, catfish enthusiasts mill about their natural business. It’s been a slow day over at the Speak Easy, but there’s never been a dry spell they couldn’t handle. South American Catfishes (Calliicthyidae - Cories et al) is busy, but as usual not so much as South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al), the real heart of town.
Behind the swinging double doors, aquarists huddle and murmur in the murkily lit saloon. Smoke wafts amidst the low chatter about breeding, sexing and water parameters. These aren’t the people you’ve met on tumblr or on reddit—these are fishkeepers. Men and women who’ve seen decades of tanks come and go, men and women who know just how to wrangle a belligerent Hypancistrus zebra right. These are not people who need internet validation.
But then the double doors clatter and the sun lances in. The sudden, orange light is cut into swaths by a tall, dark shadow. In walks the new kid. Grizzled aquarists raise their heads from their card games and COTM articles for the first time all day. Everything comes to a standstill. The kid glides through with a cocky stride, oblivious of the roomful of steely eyes evaluating his every move. Men look up from their cave setups and drinks are set down with a cautious clink. The kid sits down at the bar, orders a drink from the bartender. All is silent for minutes; the very air holds his breath. All eyes watch the new kid finish his glass, then set it down with a confident, satisfied thunk. He turns slightly and takes a breath.
“HELP MY PLECO DIED WHAT DID I DO WRONG”
Also, sorry for leaving out the African catfish forum. I'm new!
• • •
High noon.
All’s normal in the town of the PlanetCatfish forums. The sun beats down the dusty street, but under the cover of roof and darkness, catfish enthusiasts mill about their natural business. It’s been a slow day over at the Speak Easy, but there’s never been a dry spell they couldn’t handle. South American Catfishes (Calliicthyidae - Cories et al) is busy, but as usual not so much as South American Catfishes (Loricariidae - Plecos et al), the real heart of town.
Behind the swinging double doors, aquarists huddle and murmur in the murkily lit saloon. Smoke wafts amidst the low chatter about breeding, sexing and water parameters. These aren’t the people you’ve met on tumblr or on reddit—these are fishkeepers. Men and women who’ve seen decades of tanks come and go, men and women who know just how to wrangle a belligerent Hypancistrus zebra right. These are not people who need internet validation.
But then the double doors clatter and the sun lances in. The sudden, orange light is cut into swaths by a tall, dark shadow. In walks the new kid. Grizzled aquarists raise their heads from their card games and COTM articles for the first time all day. Everything comes to a standstill. The kid glides through with a cocky stride, oblivious of the roomful of steely eyes evaluating his every move. Men look up from their cave setups and drinks are set down with a cautious clink. The kid sits down at the bar, orders a drink from the bartender. All is silent for minutes; the very air holds his breath. All eyes watch the new kid finish his glass, then set it down with a confident, satisfied thunk. He turns slightly and takes a breath.
“HELP MY PLECO DIED WHAT DID I DO WRONG”