Thanks, Reefcam!
My 15 year old daughter is now obsessing over the thought of trying out a pico reef tank with just soft coral and a single seahorse. She is very sensitive to marine life and caretaking. We've had only freshwater since moving here - always single male bettas. My daughter Brodie picks out the ones who look like no one will take them - injured, deformed, or floating as if about to die. She brings them home and takes immaculate care of them. It's incredible how long they live with her in charge. One of them has a sideways face and has a hard time feeding but he's so much fun to interact with and he's just a doll. She pays so much attention to them, makes me proud!
We talked about saltwater for a long time because I wanted the kids to know what I got to experience (diving) as a kid and they all liked the idea but it took years (10 years in fact) before I thought they were ready to help be responsible. Now here we are, with dreams of more and more tanks.
We have 4 small freshwater with single malte bettas and two larger saltwater (one green wolf eel, the other with a bluehead wrasse and the anthias which are getting along stellar!). My brother bred saltwater fish in Hawaii and always has tips and wisdom to pass to me which I greatfully appreciate since I was uaually just requesting fish and my dad would bring them home to me in the morning. We're on the conservative side minimizing the number of fish and only really adjusting our cleaning crews until we expand. We're not looking to get more fish, but coral has become Brodie's target. I am content with what we have, but she wants more color. I like movement, she likes color. She does know that it will take time and patience, so for now we just map out future possibilities.
Sorry to write so much, I am just stoked that my kids are getting to take part in what I probably took for granted as a kid.