A Trip to the Aquarium

A Trip to the AquariumChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1“Hi! said Rebound, I think we landed in the Shark Tank! Look out Rio! Rio quickly glanced over her shoulder and all around. Splash! Swish! Went the water as a Tiger shark circled them hungrily. Bluffer rose to the defense of the NetPets, sucking in a great gulp of water, making himself very big and round and scary-looking, as only a Puffer fish can. He shook his fin at the shark and scolded, Thats not a nice way to treat guests! You stop that or Ill have you for dinner, because Im a very hungry fish! Oh, sorry, apologized the Tiger shark. I didnt know you were visitors and, after all, it is nearly lunch time. What a horrible thought, shuddered CleoCatra, who wasnt fond of water to begin with. We really do need to be more careful where we land! Mr. Tiger shark, would you introduce us to the others? asked CleoCatra, thinking it would be good to have an ambassador in the Shark Tank. Of course! I would love to! replied the Tiger shark. Did you know sharks have been around since prehistoric times? he asked. Thats a long time! said Rebound, impressed. Tiger shark introduced Nurse shark. Shes our medical expert. She can even get Band-Aids off without the Ouch. Oh, wow, murmured Oatis, I wish my Mudder could do that! Say Hello to the Hammerhead shark, said the Tiger shark. He wants to be an architect when he grows up. That sounds like a great career, observed Rio. Do you think you could design a bird house? Yes, of course! replied the Hammerhead shark. I want to build wonderful houses that people and birds and fish and cats and dogs and horses want to live in! All the NetPets said, That sounds great! Now, let me introduce you to the Lemon shark, said the Tiger shark. The Lemon shark is the fastest shark in the tank. Pleased to meet you, said the NetPets as their eyes followed the very swift movement of the Lemon shark. Likewise! answered the Lemon shark quickly, as he went zip! zip! zip! around the tank. He is fast! exclaimed Oatis. But maybe not as fast as my father . Hes a champion race horse, you know! Then Bluffer called out, Look! Over there is a Sandbar shark! How do know hes a Sandbar shark? asked CleoCatra, quizzically. Well I am a fish, you know, replied Bluffer. Besides, he must be a Sandbar shark . see the wonderful sand castle hes building! They all got a good laugh out of Bluffers joke. And last but not least we mustnt forget the Small-toothed sawfish, said the Tiger shark. Hes sharklike, but is actually considered to be a member of the ray group of fishes. Look at him! blurted Rebound. He has the longest snout Ive ever seen and it has teeth on both sides! No wonder hes called a sawfish! He could have been named a chain sawfish! squawked Rio. He does have a pretty impressive smile, admitted the Tiger shark. But you should see his dentist bills! Well now youve met everybody. Were going to have lunch in just a few minutes. Would you like to join us? invited the Tiger shark. Uh . well . it isnt going to be live fish, is it? asked Bluffer, nervously swimming backwards a little bit. No, not here in the aquarium, said the Tiger shark, Today weve having rockfish stuffed with vitamins and minerals. Its just like the fish in the grocery store only with stuffing! Its really very good. Oh, well, um, actually Im a vegetarian, said Oatis. I prefer nuts and fruits myself, chimed in Rio. O.K., suit yourselves, said the Tiger shark. But youre perfectly welcome to stay! Thank you very much! they all responded. But were going to head over to the Tropical Fish Tank! Feel free to stop by for a bite any time! lured the Lemon shark, flashing a toothy grin. Dont let him bother you, dismissed Bluffer as they swam away. That was just a little shark humor! TopChapter 2Ooh, arent the colors here beautiful?! exclaimed CleoCatra. Oatis, since you have the camera, could you take some pictures? What a great idea! answered Oatis. Flash! Pop! Went the camera. Look! called out Rio. There go a whole lot of fish and theyre all the same colors, bright yellow and blue! Thats called a school of fish, Rio. informed Bluffer. A school? What does school have to do with fish? asked Rio, doubtfully. Well, a school can also mean a group that have something in common like all of those fish. See, theyre all the same kind. explained Bluffer. Is it as fun as the Kids Classroom? asked Oatis. Oh, yes! declared Bluffer and then he swam off, calling Hey look! I know that tropical fish over there! Gramma! What are you doing here? Bluffer! Its good to see you! said the Gramma fish, warmly. Its been a long time. I met the aquarium people off the Gulf Coast of Mexico a few years ago and then I came here. The climates nice, the waters great. What more could a Gramma fish want in her golden years? Im so glad youre happy, Bluffer said, pleased. Were visiting for the day. Could you show us around? Absolutely, responded Gramma. We have such wonderful fish here . Angel fish, Surgeonfish, even a relative of yours Bluffer an Atlantic Porcupine Puffer fish! All the brightly colored fish are like a swimming rainbow. What are those two fish over there? asked Rebound. Those are both Angel fish, but two different kinds. Come and meet them! invited Gramma. They all followed Gramma who introduced them. This beautiful lady here is the Queen Angel fish, and this is the French Angel fish. The Queen Angelfish glided gracefully through the water, a spectacular crown of blue on the front of her head. Welcome to our underwater kingdom, she said in a regal tone. The NetPets were in awe of her majesty. Pleased to meet you, they said respectfully. Besides having beautiful colors, Angel fish are monogamous and marry for life, noted Gramma. Mr. French Angel fish, will you tell them the story about how you won your wifes heart? suggested Gramma. Of course! said the French Angel fish. My wife is the most striking French Angel you could ever meet! When we were young, all the small fries wanted to marry her. One of her many admirers challenged me to a duel to win her love. On the day of the duel, fish had swum from miles around to see the thrust and parry and flash of color! It was an incredible duel! Of course, it was wonderful for me because I won! My soon-to-be-wife was very impressed with me. And when I asked her to marry me she said Yes. I am the most fortunate French Angel fish in all of the oceans! How romantic! Thats a wonderful story! sighed CleoCatra and Rio. Well, thank you, said the French Angel fish. A Surgeonfish swam up behind the French Angel fish, teasing, French Angel fish, every time you tell that story it gets better! Then he introduced himself, Hi, Im a Surgeonfish. Its nice to meet you! said all the NetPets, who were marveling at the scalpel-like spine on the Surgeonfishs tail fin. Are you a doctor? asked Rio. Im sort of a specialist. See heres my scalpel, he pointed to his tail fin. You never know when you might have to operate, or slice and dice a seaweed salad! he said, laughing out loud, and then went on. Oh, hey! I do a great hula dance, too. Do you girls like to dance? You know, my cousin the Yellow Tang comes from Hawaii and he taught me how. The Surgeonfish kept chattering on. Did you know that the Yellow Tang fish gave the Hawaiian gold coast its name? When were young we are bright yellow, too. Then as we get older we become a dazzling shade of blue. Like me! Boy, he really talks a lot, doesnt he? whispered Oatis. Yes, he does, answered Gramma. But hes a very nice fish when you get to know him. Oh Bluffer, look! Here comes the Atlantic Porcupine Puffer fish! said Gramma. Come over and say hello! she called. A relative of yours is here! The Atlantic Porcupine Puffer fish propelled himself over to where the NetPets where, his little pectoral fins whirring. Well look here! A little Puffer fish! Are you new here? he inquired. No, were just visiting for the day, and Im not little! retorted Bluffer. I can make myself very big, just like you! Calm down, little fellow, soothed the Atlantic Porcupine Puffer fish. Youre one of the family. I might be a distant uncle of yours. Well, yes, I suppose so, said Bluffer, But I dont have prickly spines like yours. Can I touch one? Go ahead! invited the Porcupine Puffer fish. You should see my spines when Im cranky or threatened! You know what I mean, dont you Bluffer? We Puffer fish are magnificent when we are all puffed up! I remember once, when I was just a small fish, this bully of a shark was bothering me. I puffed myself up as big as I could and all of my prickly spines stood out! Well, all I can say is that sharks nose hurt for weeks! Im sure it did! replied Bluffer, as he examined a spine. Bark! Bark! Rebounds ears perked up. I hear Sea Lions! Lets go see whats going on! If you dont mind, Im going to stay here for my fly-tying class, said Gramma. But you kids have a good time.! Bye Gramma! Bye Uncle Porcupine Puffer! called the NetPets as they hurried off to visit the Sea Mammals. TopChapter 3 The Sea Lions were putting on a wonderful show for the visitors when they got there, balancing and juggling colorful balls on their noses and clapping their flippers. Do you think they will play catch with me? wondered Rebound. Or how about water polo? suggested Oatis. What a great idea! Hey Mr. Sea Lion! yelled Bluffer, Would you like to play water polo with us? Of course we would! replied the Sea Lion. Then they whispered to each other Should we tell them that we are expert water p