In a twist of fate likely predetermined by their names, our huge goldfish Sid died sometime overnight, a few weeks after we lost Nancy. They are survived by The Loach, their tankmate until recently.

Sid was tough and mean for a goldfish, having gone through three Nancys as he would bully them to death. The last one was resistant to the bullying, but was sensitive to disease. Sid and The Loach were transferred to a hospital tank, but Sid began to unceasingly bully The Loach, who is gentle in his catfish-like ways. Sid was tranferred to his old tank, which despite many cleanings, must have harboured traces of the disease. He looked fine yesterday, dead today.

The Loach was unavailable for comment.