Fish are stated to be one of many best pets to take care of – give them a clear tank and meals and so they’ll deal with themselves. However for Nicholas Haines, Birmingham’s very personal fish whisperer, this could not be farther from the reality.
Nicholas shares his dwelling with round 50 sea creatures – every with their very own distinctive wants and necessities. The 44-year-old from Kitts Inexperienced provides forgotten fish a second likelihood in life, taking them in freed from cost and caring for them till a brand new dwelling might be discovered.
There’s effervescent fish tanks in each nook of Nicholas’ dwelling – however the dad-of-four says there’s nonetheless extra fish on the market in want of his assist. He’s at the moment within the technique of constructing his very personal aquarium in his again backyard to deal with deserted fish and match them with their eternally properties.
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(Picture: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Reside)
“I like all animals – however fish have at all times been my favorite,” Nicholas says. “I soak up fish that want a brand new dwelling.
“Individuals dump them for all types of causes. They may not know the way to take care of them, folks move after which the fish want a brand new dwelling, others do not do their analysis and panic when their fish will get too huge or would not get together with their different pets.
“As an alternative of dumping them within the canal or flushing them down the bathroom, I take them in, deal with them in the event that they’re unwell, and discover them a brand new dwelling.”
Through the years, Nicholas has amassed a tropical oasis of rescued fish that now stay in his front room. He has goldfish, guppies, koi, black moors, shrimp amongst many others – and he paperwork his fish-keeping journey on social media.
Every fish has its personal character and requires several types of care. So how does Nicholas cope with the monetary implications of caring for 50 fish? “I’ve give you a treatment to cowl the prices,” he tells me.
“Numerous the fish are breeding so what I am hoping to do is apply for a fish licence so I can promote them. This may pay for the maintenance of the operation.”
(Picture: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Reside)
Nicholas has devoted the final yr of his life to saving fish – however he says that in some ways, his fish household have additionally saved him. Nicholas tells us that his new discovered passion rescued him from a ‘darkish time’ in his life.
He is now made it his mission to provide each undesirable fish in Birmingham a house – however he needs a helping hand to cover the costs. “I am planning to transform my shed right into a fish sanctuary to allow me to take care of lots of extra fish,” he says.
(Picture: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Reside)
“It is a huge mission and the prices are fairly excessive, however the fish-keeping neighborhood is immense so I’ve put the phrase out to see if anybody might help donate to assist fund the mission. I hate sitting round and never doing something – this mission has actually helped me and my psychological well being.
“I wish to present my youngsters that despite the fact that I am out of labor on the minute, I can nonetheless be productive and assist the neighborhood.”
To seek out out extra about Nicholas’ fish-keeping journey – or to donate – click on here. And if you need a fish hit, take a look at Birmingham’s personal Sea Life centre
