Reston Pet of the Week: Fins

This week’s Reston Now Pet of the Week steps out of the box a bit and into the fish tank.

Meet, Fins, a freshwater fish. Here is what his owner Wendy has to say:

Hi-Hi-Hi-Hi-How Are You? Feed Me! Hey Where Are You Going? FeedMe! Over Here! Hey,Human — You Need Glasses Or What?-Hi-Hi-Hi-Hi…Food Goes In My Mouth. HIIIIIIIIII!

You might think that’s a dog talking, but in fact it is a freshwater fish. Fins is a member of a rock dwelling African cichlid species that hails from Lake Malawi.

Fins was our very first fish and is now about 4.5 years old. When we got him, he was a scared-to-death two-inch long silver creature. Now he’s a six-inch long, blue and orange fish who commands the tank as he swims around it, and settles in any cave he wants to.

In our house, we are allergic to both cats and dogs, and while at the start I was unsure whether fish could be pets in the same way that cats or dogs are, a lot of fish species have big personalities and are very attuned to humans. That’s mostly because we give them food.

However, watching fish being fishy is one of the most relaxing activities I can think of, and on a daily basis, we slow down and hang out and really enjoy the company of other people, because of our fish.

He likes chasing girls, making sure the other boys don’t fight, and food.

Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week? Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet.

Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks. Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.