I have had this beautiful rock of Zoanthids with at least 4 different kinds on it, but ever since I got it the polyps started dying off. It made no sense to me - Zoanthids are not hard to keep, and my water parameters were very good. It was not until 5 months later, yesterday night, that I saw out of the corner of my eye the cause...

A light brown crab the size of a toony with black pinchers was pinching off each polyp one by one, eating them. Right in front of my eyes. So I promptly stuck my hand into the tank and grabbed it, hoping that it would not try to pinch me. Got it out, and in to the mantis tank. I heard one loud click as the mantis shrimp smashed it, but I do not think the crab got hurt. Will see if he gets eaten.

Today marks year number 3 since I first set foot in Canada as part of my relocation. On 4th of July, 2008 I landed late that evening, tired and excited about a new life far, far away from all the turmoil.

It's not always been easy though. Especially in the beginning - it is hard to move from one place where you were very credit worthy to another where none of that is recognised. So you start over... Building up your reputation slowly but surely. The hardest for me was not knowing whether you would be able to stay - to be here on a temporary work visa is scary to say the least. At any moment you could be kicked out of the country. Seeing that I SOLD everything in SA at a huge loss, that would have been devastating.

Fortunately things worked out and here I am - three years later. I own my condo, I have a car and am doing well for myself. But there are some myths I want to bust - at least in my line of work.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.