Well, I don't know how to do it-- all the time. In fact, I am a fish killer-- and it totally stresses me out! Just the other day, three of the fish died-- one a slow and agonizing death I'm sure. When I went to change the water, one of the fish had something hangin' out of it, gasping for air. It was obvious that the poor little guy was not going to live much longer, but it wasn't dead yet. I thought about flushing it, but thankfully it died by the time I was ready to put the fish back in the clean water (I add drops to get out the chlorine).
At first there were nine.... now there are two. They look fat and healthy. Only time will tell.
22 inspiring thoughts:
I know how this feels. Fish come to my place to die :(
Oh dear, poor fish! :(
How on earth did she manage to catch a crayfish?! (What we here in NZ call crawdads, lol) Wouldn't it be enormous?
I feel your pain there. We go through fish faster than we go through a bag of cookies.
We have a little fish tank and we've had terrible luck with it. Plus, now we have an algae problem. My daughter cries everytime one dies - but me? I don't want to see her sad, but when the last one dies, we are DONE with fish. Is is mean of me to HOPE they die?
LOL. . .my kids (& husband) want a dog so bad. I'm the mean one that says NO cuz I know who will be taking care of it. They claim they would be responsible. HA! One time just to prove my point, we had a dead fish in our tank for 3 days. Finally when I got it out I made a big deal about it. I said "see, how are you going to care for a dog when no one can even scoop out a dead fish".
The same thing happened to our fish (all of them) a couple of years ago. We added drops too. We think that it was the rocks at the bottom of the tank. I read somewhere that they can hide toxic-something-or-other that can kill the fish when released. It sometimes happens after cleaning the tank b/c the rocks shift. Good luck with the rest of the fish:)
A moms job is never done. It goes on and on..like that song from Lambchop
Fish tips (I had fish long ago).
Make sure the new water is on the cooler side and not warm. Warm water can kill fish. It has something to do with air content and the fishes metabolism.
If you let the water sit out several hours the clorine can air out of it (you can also add drops for this).
If it is a newer tank, not an older established tank, you will need to change the water more frequently as ammonia will build up. As the tank gets older good bacteria builds up to handle the bi products of the fish and you don't need to change it as much.
Fish also easily can get something, I think it is called Ick. There are drops you put in for that too:)
You are a fish killer! I know it's not funny, but I am laughing my head off. I have been left with caterpillars and we have been through our share of fish, and a few very sweet bunnies. And the baby mice that I fed and coddled for 6 long days. I was not the one who wanted these creatures, but the very mothering instinct that nurtures and protects the children must kick in...but fish are tough, don't feel bad. ( I know, it isn't the fish, it is the poor kids who get sad about it)...
It's mom's responsibility because moms know everything! That's why the kids always come to mom's side of the bed in the middle of the night, or when they're sick, or when they find a half-squished bug that needs to be nursed back to health, etc! ;)
It is hard to keep fish alive in a bowl or an aquarium. One fish that is fairly hardy and easy to keep is a Betta (Siamese fighting fish). You only keep one or they will fight and likely kill each other. They need protein food, so cannot eat goldfish flakes, but we fed the one we had in Egypt table scraps (meat and a tiny bit of veg) because we did not have proper betta food (which can be found easily in the US). We had him for over 2 years. Gave him away to a friend when we left.
We hava a rule "pets" caught in the wild stay in the wild if we are in the river and the kids catch fish they need to be back in the river by the time we get home, bringing those pets home it's cruel and will usually cause them to die, there is no way we can duplicate the conditions they have in the wild, we have no idea what their diet was before and I'm sure they'd be happier swimming in a river than in a glass bowl.
That's funny, my brothers and I used to catch crayfish back in a creek in our woods, but we never kept any for long. :)
I so agree Jennell. Had I been there, I wouldn't have allowed it.
Rachael, and about hoping for the fish to hurry up and die---- I admit that I have hoped for that too.
I am in the same boat. I love fish, but no matter how many times I "read the directions" from the pet shop or online, or whatever....the fish always die. I can't do it. Gerbils on the other hand are cute, and easy peezy, even our dogs & cat- no problem. So I guess we will just stick with that....or maybe get a hermit crab- those are easy.
This post made me laugh cause I am fish killer:) (Not on purpose)
How is Alex doing mobility-wise? You all are in my prayers and I think of you often! Mira is scooting around really well. I really think once we get this club foot straightened out, she will learn to walk quickly(with walking sticks). Before we started the serial casting, she was pulling up and cruising along furniture just using the one good foot/leg! Never was given the opportunity before (stroller ALL the time in the orphanange) so who knows what her limits will be now that she isn't given any limitations?!
Grace and Peace to you!
~Lydia
I'm sorry you have such luck with fish. My mom usually managed kill our fish too. On the other hand my, dh's fish thrive. We have two tanks and a bowl with very few deaths. Part of the secret is filtration (lots), circulating water with air added and volume. Bigger tanks are easier to keep; I know it seems strange but it's true.
My daughter also keeps fish and has wild caught snakes and lizards. She thoroughly researches the type of habitat needed and the preferred food. If she can't recreate their environment then she lets them go. Currently she has two Texas Alligator lizards. One fully mature adult and teeny tiny juvenile; they thrive for her so who am I to say she can't keep them (as long as they aren't threatened/endangered species).
Did I read that wrong or did you have 9 fish in that bowl?
If so, way too many.
A fishbowl isn't a good environment for fish anyway. A minimum 10 gallon aquarium with both an undergravel and an external power filter, as well as at least one powerhead is really the minimum standard if you want to keep fish alive.
If a fish is suffering, one can capture it and put it in a cup of tank water in the freezer to euthanize it.
The whole change the water thing is a shock to fish, too, and once a tank is well-established, isn't usually necessary. Changing filter components and adding treated water is.
Also, in a fresh water aquarium, a bit of sea salt (see aquarium store people or look online for proper amounts)will really help with the health of your aquarium denizens.
If you lived closer, I'd drop off an aquarium package at your house, I think we have about four total in the shed.
We also have three aquariums going in the living room.
It's really very educational when you set the kids to doing research about what's going on with the fish. It's amazing how observant they become... and how much easier it is for the mom when the kids eventually take over!
:)
Well now that I've written a book...
I found the solution for dead fish.
http://apps.facebook.com/fishworld
I have to play it while my kids watch. No more dead fish for me!
fish don't usually do well in a bowl. you need a big enough aquarium and the stuff that goes with it (the thing that keeps the water moving, which you have to clean regularly). you need the right kind of food and you need to know what kind of fish to put together, etc. too rapid change stresses the fish, but you'll have to clean the aquarium regularly. put stuff on the bottom (like plants, or fake plants, places for the fish to hide and rocks that are safe for the fish). also, some wild fish can't live as pets.
I had to smile at "16 Blessings". I thought she loved everything that came her way! One day I will catch up with her...
The answer to why? Cause you're the Mama, that's why. (Happens here too.)
Hi Christine,
On a different note: I saw this and thought of you.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33116911#33116911
Its interesting to see the topic of disruption being dealt with in the mass media.
I confess. I kill fish, too. Its so sad. =0( We live next to a lake, so we get snakes, toads, geckos, turtles, etc. We catch them and touch them and observe then for a while, and then let them go. Just 2 weeks ago I let my daughter's turtle go that we had found crossing the street...just a baby. I said, "Run, turtle, run! We kill small pets. Run for your life!" Course he just sat there. Came back and hour later, he was still there. Two hours later he was gone. Tara asked, "Where's my turtle?" I said, "I saved his life. I let him go." =0)
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