ALECTO’S SIGN: I flare at Mommy when she tries to move the mermaid. It is MINE.

IROH’S SIGN: I hoard food in my bubble nest and then don’t eat it. (I eat my plant instead.)

Alecto is two and a half years old, and Iroh is about six months old. Alecto’s brother, Bluebell (recently deceased), was incredibly possessive when it came to a pink-and-black tape measure I’d keep sitting up next to his tank; much like Alecto won’t let me move the mermaid, Bluebell used to get upset when I’d take the tape measure to use it. Some bettas are greedy little water dragons and love their hoards, even if it means their tanks get messy very fast (Iroh, I’m looking at you).