

A one-eyed Vancouver fish receives a fake eye so that other fish will not bully him
At the Vancouver Aquarium, there is a Copper Rockfish that is different from the others in appearance. Martin Haulena speaks to Global News about him and the reasons the other fish bullied him.
In 2015, a happy ending to a bullying tale occurred in a 69,000-liter water tank.
After being bullied by other fish for months, one of the copper rockfish at the Vancouver Aquarium received a prosthetic eye, giving him a new lease on life.
“Before the prosthetic, he was being hurt and quite uncomfortable because he was being picked on,” said Dr. Martin Haulena, head veterinarian of the Vancouver Aquarium.
Other fish are known to take advantage of fish who are missing an eye by sneaking up on them, stealing their food, and picking on them.
It is well known that some species compete with one another for the best available habitat and space, so this type of aggression is completely normal.
The affected rockfish underwent eye removal two years ago because his cataracts failed to clear up. The fish had started slumming at the bottom of the tank in recent months, losing scales and appearing generally untidy.
Up until the decision to perform the Vancouver Aquarium’s first procedure of its kind and give him a taxidermy eye.
WATCH: Surgery-related video
According to Haulena, the procedure has been used in other aquariums for nearly 20 years. “Ever since we put in the prosthetic, the fish is right back in the mid-water column, interacting with other fish,” she says. “He has more strength. The fish and everyone else appear to be much happier now.
Naturally, the fish is still partially blind, but the others are unaware of this.
“Years and years ago, people would say just get another fish, but I don’t think that’s the attitude anymore,” claims Haulena.
Doing what is best for all animals, regardless of species, is actually kind of a nice thing to do.


Remembering Alex: The African Grey Parrots Final Message
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A man travels for hours daily through a drought to provide water for wild animals.
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Chen Ami, The Bravery pigeon that saved 194 Soldier
During World War 1, a carrier Pigeon name Cher Ami was shot, blinded and had her leg blown off. She is still able to deliver the message and saved lives 194 soldiers.

Bear, Tiger, And Lion Became Friends For Life
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9-Year-Old Hero from Yemen Rescues Fox from a 3-4 Floor Deep Well—No Ropes, Just Bravery
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13-year-old dog missing for two months found alive in a cave.
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The story of Bill Haast, who lived to be 100 despite his extensive snake venom injections
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How European Rabbits Took over Australia
In 1859, wealthy settler Thomas Austin released 13 wild rabbits on his Australian estate. By 1920, their population grew to 10 billion.

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How Migratory Birds Navigate Thousands of Miles Without Getting Lost
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Why the Brooklyn Bridge Was Once Crossed by 17 Camels and 21 Elephants
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Are Octopus Intelligent? A Look Inside an Octopus's Brain
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The 440-pound bear named Wojtek and his World War II battle against the Nazis
Polish troops raised an orphaned bear cub during WWII. He enjoyed drinking beer, and was trained to salute. He became officially enlisted as a member of the forces, and helped carry artillery during battle.

Jack the Baboon operated a railroad, earned a living, and never made a mistake
A baboon worked as a signalman for the railroad in the late 1800s. He never made a mistake and worked for the railroad until the day he died.