Casting around to find fish new home

The fish, which normally cost around £500 each, were owned by Cube Precision, but they are now in the way of the Rowley Regis company's plans and new owners are needed so that builders can concrete over their pond. It is the second time the fish have needed a new home.

They had been given to the company eight years ago, rejected by a breeder because they all had irregular spots on their backs. Sales director Neil Clifton said: "It's a shame really, we will be sad to see them go. We've had them a long time, when they were all really small, and now they are about a foot and a half long.

"All the staff like going out in the summer and giving them a feed."

But Mr Clifton, aged 31, of Worcester said the loss comes on the back of good news.

He set up his fledgling company in January after his father's company Clifton Engineering went out of business, hit by the downturn in the automotive industry.

The new company, based at the same premises in Cakemore Road, started up after winning a huge contract to make parts for the West Coast Mainline Pendolino trains and now needs to increase its office space.

Mr Clifton added: "We have to block over the pool within which they live so that we can build new offices to accommodate our new business growth.

"They have been here for eight years right in the middle of all the offices and the factory, so they have always been safe.

"But we need to build over it now to make space for these new offices," he said.

Mr Clifton says the new owners should have a pond at least six feet by eight feet and should be experienced fish owners.

For information about the fish call Cube Precision Engineering Ltd on 0121 559 3096.