Awww, wow I couldn't have said that better myself
I love my fishies and my snails so much.
So you reminded me of the first fish I ever paid for myself, with my own money, from my very first job. We've always had fish (I'm 40 now) but when I was around 14 I think? I got a job as a dish washer in this big restaurant and from my very first check I was SOOO excited to pay to bring home my fish friend "Wally", I don't know what is "actual" classification was but I called him a red cap, pearl-scaled, fan-tail, goldfish X) He was a cute pudgy red and white gold fish that "waddled" through the water, he cost me over $40 USD and I loved him so much! I still tear up thinking about losing him years after I got him
But I've had several wonderful fishies in my care since then