The iconic goldfish that once swam above the dancefloor in a recessed wall aquarium on Arq nightclub’s top level are now living their best lives in a new home – thanks to a longtime punter and proud queer ally.
After two farewell parties sent the club off in style, their new owner, who asked not to be named for privacy reasons, adopted the five remaining fish last Monday before the venue rebrands as Aura under new management. A sixth fish – the biggest and named George – was returned to Paddington pet store Aquadisiac, Arq said.
Taking over management of Arq from Susanah Page – the outgoing owner of the Arq business and long-time owner of Home The Venue – is Dave Auld, the co-founder of Noir nightclub and the co-owner of boat-for-hire businesses Oasis and Seadeck. He plans to open it as Aura sometime in autumn.
But back to the real stars of this story – the fish.
Speaking to Gay Sydney News just before she was about to pick up some new aquarium décor, their new owner said she’s been a regular at both Home and Arq since moving to Sydney. Her first time at Arq? 2012.
“It’s where a lot of my friendships have been formed over the years,” she said. “And like many other people are posting at the moment, I’m a bit sentimental about it closing. So that’s why it’s nice to have a bit of Arq [in my home].”
The fish adoption started as a cheeky joke when she ran into Sophie Kollmorgen – daughter of Susanah Page and Arq’s outgoing owner’s representative.
“I made a joke about how I’d take them one day. I think there was an article about the Arq fish at the time.”
And just in case you’re wondering – yes, the fish have had a journey of their own.
Back in September 2023, Gay Sydney News spotted only one lone swimmer left in the tank. But by December the same year, then-licensee James Maverty uploaded a video showing at least 11 “new fishies” had been added.
Now, five survivors have made it into retirement – swimming peacefully in the loving hands of a true Arq devotee.
And to make their new tank even homelier? Their new owner has placed a disco ball next to their aquarium.
Almost two weeks on since their move, we’re told the fish are thriving.
Long live the Arq fish.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
