A fish called Toughie – based on a true story.

Today is Toughie’s biggest test. He’s fighting between life and death. He’s there because of me. But I’m gunning for him to stay true to his name and fight his way back.

Two days earlier my eyes noticed Toughie. His once pristine and clean world was in shambles. Murky, dark, dreary and without food, still Toughie was doing fine. Seemed like he’d made some sort of quiet peace with his predicament. Cold and abandoned, Toughie took it all on his chin, without saying a word.

Right then I, with all right intentions decided to clean up Toughie’s world once and for all. To prove to him that there was still hope in this world. What happened was just the opposite.

I set out to clean the tank that was Toughie’s home. I emptied the filthy water but Toughie not understanding my intentions jumped out to save his life (I wish he hadn’t). There he was on the cold basin tile, gasping for air. I couldn’t afford to waste a single second. I quickly grabbed at his tail. But Toughie is a slippery customer. He wriggled himself free. A quick struggle ensued before finally I managed to put him in a standby jar, while I quickly cleaned the aquarium.

Tediously I washed his glass home and all the props inside. Toughie was going to be happy I said to myself. All done, I released Toughie into his pristine world. Just like the old times.

But something was wrong. Toughie was breathing funny. And then I saw his eyes. Shrinking. I kept looking but with each passing moment life seemed to be getting out of Toughie. And then…

A trail of blood….on Toughie’s tail. In his struggle, I must have broken his tail. His tiny frame against my strong grip. He didn’t stand a chance. I didn’t understand it. All my good intentions and now I was responsible for Toughie’s plight. I felt terrible.

Then all of a sudden, some movement. Toughie, the son-of-a-gun was fighting. The blood was still there. And I’d imagine as it does for humans, even fishes feel the pain. But Toughie isn’t one for complaining. He’s out there, living up to his name.

Note: Please keep a net handy while cleaning your fish tank. Not all fishes are like Toughie.