Staff at a Welsh pub are offering a £50 reward for the safe return of one of their pet goldfish.
The fish, called Mary, was scooped up in a pint glass in front of stunned customers and staff just before closing time at the Vulcan Lounge in Cathays, Cardiff.
The brazen fish-napper then simply walked out of the pub, with his unusual take-out in hand.
Mary and three other goldfish called Jesus, Kevin and Bubba had been resident in a converted ice bucket on the bar for the last six months and were considered 'part of the charm' of the student friendly venue in the Welsh capital.
Sadly Jesus had passed away earlier in the year, despite an earlier miraculous recovery that gave him his biblical name, and now the removal of Mary has apparently left Kevin and Bubba in a dejected state.
Staff have been unable to identify the culprit, despite CCTV footage showing the unknown man loitering around the tank before his audacious action. The rationale behind the theft is as yet unknown with student 'humour' being mooted as one possible reason but with no sign of a ransom note it's possible that the fish was taken with its long term welfare in mind.
The life expectancy of a common goldfish is well in excess of 15 years, but this longevity may be severely impacted upon by life in an ice bucket on the bar in a student pub. Despite this speculation, Mary's welfare and location remain unknown and as well as the reward the pub is offering a free meal to anyone with information as to her whereabouts.
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