Log Entry #001 - 6.16.06 // Yshe? No, that does not rhyme with "fish".
- This morning, I woke at five o' clock. That's an hour and a half to get ready and a 30 minute bicycle ride to arrive at the Gambino Restoration and Research Facility for seven.
Yesterday, there was an advertisement in the newspaper- a Dr. Jenna Peterson needed help in studying and caring for fish and other aquatic creatures living in the waters around the Isle. I've always been interested in fish. It's truly amazing how they've adapted to life under the water. It's strange to think that we, as humans- or any other mammal for that matter-, might have actually evolved from them.
When we got there (Aeraen tagged along for reasons unknown), we were told to wait in the reception area. Soon, one of the senior lab assistants came out to greet us. After some questions, mostly background information along with how much time I'd be able to dedicate to their project. Apparently, my responses satisfied the assistant, because I was led to a large room in the at the back of the facility and assigned a fish! Amazing, is it not?
Well, actually, I didn't get to see my lovely that day- an Ocellated (or, more commonly, Black Edge) Moray Eel, for future reference. Instead, I got a photograph of her and some basic information. When we got back to Aeraen's, I did some research on the computer and even went to the library. I found out a lot about the little eels- what the water temperature should be, what kind of food they ate, average length (about two feet). So, when I went back this morning, I knew what I was in for.
Yshe's tank was actually quite large, situated half-way inside a wall, with a little stand beneath it to support the overhanging bit. At the top, there was a cover that hinged to the wall- apparently for food delivery and other related activities. It was sealed pretty tightly, due to eels' knack for escaping a tank.
Since Black Edge Morays are nocturnal, I spent most of the day watching Yshe's (that's the name I chose for her- I don't know why, really) little head dart in and out of holes in the rock. When it got to around 5:00 pm, however, the eel apparently felt comfortable enough to come out for a visit. I was able to put a finger against the glass and she once got brave enough to inspect it. But, when I tried moving my finger, the eel retreated back to her shelter.
As the evening went on and Yshe realized I wasn't going anywhere soon, she got bolder and swam up to the glass. I figured was probably hungry, so I got a few live feeder fish out of a tank at the back of the room, lifted Yshe's heavy tank cover, and dropped one into the water. The eel captured it almost immediately, then went back to her cave to lie in wait (mouth open, of course). I released the last two fish into the tank. Before I left, I witnessed another of the fish being caught and swallowed.
Tonight, I'm actually staying in one of the rooms at the facility. It's not much, but I rather like the small space. Compared to all the elbow room at Aeraen's, it feels more like home. Strange.
It's around eleven o' clock right now. But that's alright, because I won't have to really start my day until about noon tomorrow. As previously stated, Yshe is nocturnal and mostly inactive during the daytime. I'll have to learn a little more about her tomorrow.
