Priest’s prides himself on his collection of one of the earliest Christian symbols
Since he was 15 years old, priest of the Immaculate Conception parish in East Fremantle, Fr Stephen Astill, has pursued his passion of collecting fish – he has even brought one to Mass.
“Fish are one of the earliest Christian symbols. Not cats, not dogs – fish,” he said.
The 59-year-old Jesuit priest currently collects different varieties of tropical and goldfish but prides himself on his two Siamese fighting fish.
The freshwater fighting fish, one blue and one pink, are kept in separate tanks because, as their name implies, they will attack each other if there is a conflict over territory.
Last year, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the colour of which is rose, Fr Astill brought his pink Siamese fighting fish to Mass and placed it up onto the altar.
He said parishioners asked why he had a bowl of water on the altar but were thrilled to see the fish when they got a closer look.
Fr Astill has plans to increase his collection to include saltwater fish because he said they are the most spectacular in God’s creation.