Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2014/01/16/mozilla_goldfish_kidnapping/

Pint-glass-flashing FISHNAPPERS strike at Firefox daddy Mozilla

Are you taking the pis(cine), pal?

By Simon Rockman

Posted in Bootnotes, 16th January 2014 06:01 GMT

Tupac lives!* Aspirant mobile phone software provider and Firefox browser-maker Mozilla nearly lost its "golden staffers" just before Christmas, when Tupac and Biggie Smalls, the two goldfish from its reception, were fishnapped.

Mozilla has a cool space at its Covent Garden offices which gets lent out to friendly companies and individuals. It was during an event there that Mozilla's CCTV recorded the fish being put into pint glasses to be transported out.

The nature of the containers says a lot about what may have fuelled the event... which apparently came about because the fishnappers believed that the tank was too small.

Mozilla jumped into action and launched a twitter campaign to get its fish friends back, and with some careful investigation and negotiation they were retrieved. After a period of re-adjustment they were re-introduced to their tank.

The brokering of their return required skilful negotiation to re-assure the thief that their aquarium was big enough and they were well enough looked after and to keep the Mozialla techies from battering the miscreant.

A Mozilla marketing source told El Reg: "Have you seen the film Taken with Liam Neeson? This whole thing played out in almost exactly the same way. What a roller-coaster." ®

* Tupac actually died** a couple of days after his return and Biggie Smalls followed a few days later. Their Twitter account is still active though... Mozilla is currently shopping for replacements.

** Or DID HE???!!