Ep-ep, our ofFISHally awesome member of the family.

When I was a kid, aquariums for me are awesomely beautiful and magical at the same time. Seeing the creatures underwater truly amazes me.

While some aquariums are very much pleasing to the eyes, with its corals, pebbles, and different kinds of fishes with variety of colors, ours is just plain simple.

A tank filled with water and a fish.

this photo was taken last year.

Everyone, meet Ep-Ep. He is cute and can be very aggressive at times. My son and I enjoys a lot playing with him and feeding him. He always responds to our hand gestures.

He is a flowerhorn fish. Flowerhorn fish usually have vibrant colors and has a big fatty hump on the head, known as kok. This type of fish are territorial and said to be best if they are alone. My uncle actually introduced this fish to us. Back home, we used to have three of this kind with separate aquariums.

Every time I get stressed, I usually look at the aquarium and it gives me a relaxing feeling staring at its bubble effects and the little soothing sound of the running water. Indeed owning an aquarium gives us the chance to bring the calming effect of nature into our home.

Having an aquarium at home also encourages learning. Everytime we go near Ep-ep, I usually do little conversation with my son. I started asking what its color and what kind of animal. He even throws me several questions like :

• what does Ep-ep eats, “he eats rice, mama?”
• why he has ‘bukol’? (lump)
• where his papa and mama?
• why we feed him?
• does Ep-ep cry? (when we all go out.)

Ep-ep now.

I always tell my son to take care of Ep-ep, by feeding, of course with our guidance as he is still little. And instilling that his aquarium needs tobe cleaned. When he is old enough we will teach him how to clean it.

I feel that it is important that our children at an early stage, becomes conscious of what are things they should be responsible doing. By teaching them around while we do our chores at home even they don’t fully understand. And taking care of pets can increase their sense of responsibility.

Before I go back to sleep, just thought of leaving something worth sharing which is related to fish but nothing to do with this post.

When life gets you down, just keep swimming.
(from the movie Finding Nemo)

---

All photos taken using my iPhone

---