Sep 30 2008
A Tale of Five Fishies
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… Or, you know, something like that.
Actually, it was just pretty normal times.
Last week for family home evening, Brian and I took the dudes to go dog-shopping. When we bought this house a few months back, there was a beautiful dog run already built into the backyard. Perfect. We’d been promising the kids a dog, most especially for our autistic son’s benefit. It’s amazing how a child who is utterly disconnected from people can have real relationships with animals!
ANYWAY, we went dog-hunting, and did not find the dog of our dreams. But Bubba, who was never very keen on the dog idea to begin with, found a fish he wanted. It was a goldfish with some white spots. Well, goldfish are easy and we already have a fish tank, so we bought him his goldfish, who was instantly named “Nemo” and let the other three kids pick out one fish each. Princess Fluffy picked a black and orange goldfish and named it Gabriella, after the girl in High School Musical, of course. Scooby got a fish exactly like Bubba’s, only smaller, and also named it “Nemo.” (Hahaha. Sometimes little brothers really REALLY want to be like their big brothers!) And then Isaac didn’t actually pick his fish, since we were busy trying to keep him from sticking his hand into the piranha’s tank, so we picked one for him that reminded us of him. Teeny tiny but very spunky. That one was cleverly named “Fishy.”
We raced home and cleaned out the old 20-gallon fishtank. Then we carefully filled it with water that was just the right temperature, and we put the little anti-chlorine drops into the water. The kids were all very eager to release their little fishies from the plastic bags and let them swim free in their new home!
Oh, it was a thing of beauty and joy forever! Or, at least a joy until the next morning…
Come morning, we had not one dead fish, but two. Scooby’s Nemo and Isaac’s Fishy were both dead. Bloated. Floating along the top of the tank. Ewwww. Princess Fluffy and Bubba were almost gloating over the fact that their fishies were still alive, as if they’d done something remarkable and deserved all the credit for their living fishies.
But, a couple days later, Fluffy’s Gabriella lost the Battle of the Fishtank. Fortunately, Fluffy was never particularly attached to Gabriella (at least not the fish-version of Gabriella) so it wasn’t too big of a deal for her. But for Bubba, it was a huge deal, for now he possessed the sole survivor. Victory was his, in the form of a still-swimming Nemo.
Alas, all good things come to an end. On Sunday morning, Nemo was found floating, bloated, decomposing. Ewwww.
It was a very, very sad day. And he has done nothing, NOTHING, but talk about fish, draw fish, ask when I’m going to get another fish, etc. etc. I told him to drop the subject because I was SO DONE with fish! “I can’t, Mommy! I can’t think about ANYTHING but FISH!!!”
Indeed. And he proved it.
So, today I took him to PetSmart and we bought a beta, because I’m SO OVER Goldfish! Plus, I’m a big fan of beta fish. They’re hearty, sturdy, and pretty. Even Brilligites can’t kill them. Therefore, I’m a HUGE fan. In fact, one of my dearest pets ever was a beta fish. Her name was Lola. She was a Showfish. (Please tell my you’re singing Copacabana now… I would add a music clip, but I’m pretty sure that you’re all sick of those by now. But just know that I’m doing my very best Barry Manilow impression over here!) Lola was a drag-queen fish. Kate and I shared her when we were roomies together. Ahhh, good times.
I tried to get Blake to name his fishy Lola, but he was thoroughly opposed to the idea. For he already had a name picked out:
Nemo.
Yup.
So, now we have a beautiful blue-and-red beta fish named Nemo swimming around in his very own 20-gallon tank. Cross your fingers for us. I think that if this one meets an untimely demise, it really might be the end of Bubba’s little world! Oh, I’m not really thinking about him, here, if we’re all being honest. I can’t stand to deal with him if we have another fish death around here, so it’s purely selfish!
Oh… and we had salmon for dinner tonight. That was fun to explain to the kids. “Everyone come sit down and eat your fish!” hahahahaha.
Okay, this is so weird because we got a fish tank just two weeks ago. And six goldfish. Three of whom were dead within a few days. According to Fish-Guru Lady at the local pet shop, when you first set up your tank it takes about 30 days for the nitrogen levels to balance or something, so you always lose a few fish at the start (which is why they start you with cheapies like goldfish). She gave us all sorts of fab advice and it’s been, like, days since I’ve killed a fish. Woot.
Betas rock though. Easier AND prettier.
Happy dog hunting! Erm…I mean shopping. Hunting sounds wrong in that context…
Kimberlys last blog post..I’m Nagging Now - Aren’t I?
You’re a good mom to let your kids have pets. (and I totally started singing Copacabana as soon as I read the name Lola)
My DH is allergic to fur, so alas, we are unable to have any furry animals that might shed their fur all over the house, or mark their territory on the new carpet.
As it turns out, my DH is also allergic to fish scales, therefore, we are unable to have fish.
And feathers, he’s allergic to feathers too, so this, of course, means no birds either.
I’m pretty sure that lizzards and snakes and hermit crabs would cause him to sneeze also.
Seriously, I had a hard time when my kids first Tamagotchi died. I couldn’t handle a real pet.
Did you ever find a dog?
jills last blog post..Jill’s Jeopardy! The new game show!
Yeah, we’ve been the rounds with goldfish, lizards, two turtles, and we even babysat a cat and a cockatiel. Now…well, the only pets that don’t die for, say, 14 years — and truly give back in a relationship sense to the kids? A dog. But of course you know our little Sheltie, Sawyer. Everyone loves him.
charrettes last blog post..SOS: Yoo-Hoo! It’s The Grand Finale (which is actually the beginning)
I’m so glad you just taught me this lesson. No goldfish for us. I love Betas too.
And I love that you said Brilligites.
Heather of the EOs last blog post..Remember
I’m still laughing about the sel-”fish”.
And Lola the Showfish.
Lori in Denvers last blog post..Synchronicity, giving, healing
You are a stronger woman than I. Hadley has been bugging us to get a dog since she was born but Jamie’s motto is “Not until everyone is potty trained.”
And so she has been bugging us for other animals. I just can’t do fish because 1) I have been known to kill them and 2) I would be the one cleaning out their tank and guess what: I DON’T WANT TO DO IT.
I feel the same about hamsters. Never will a rodent grace the walls of this home. At least not invited ones.
Amber’s Crazy Bloggin’ Canucks last blog post..It’s a Denver Pumpkin Parrrrrrrr-tay!!!!!
Lola was a good transvestite showfish. I miss heshe still.
The thought of a lone Beta in a 20 gallon fish tank is hilarious. That’s a big tank for a little, cannibalistic fish.
Did you ever get a dog?
Kateastrophes last blog post..Emotions
“…with yellow feathers in her hair, and a dress cut down to there!”
(hey why is everyone in the office laughing at me?)
Gunfighters last blog post..Sarah Palin Meets Folksy Wisdom
We won a goldfish at the ping pong toss a couple of years ago on Little League opening day. My son named it Squid. It lasted a day.
Our college beta fish did a lot better. That was Petrie. Petrie fish. But it wasn’t a transvestite so yours was probably cooler.
Our last pet (I’d like to think ever) was a guinea pig named Snow White Snowball Curious Cotton Candy. As in, it wasn’t the kind of compromise where nobody gets what they want but rather, the kind where everyboy gets exactly what they want.
Sigh.
Melanie Js last blog post..I’m imposing on your patience today.
Brilligites may not kill bettas, but chaotic households do. Ironically we do worse with Bettas than we do with other fish. For things that are supposedly darn near indestructible, we haven’t had much luck.
think I have the boys convinced that catfish and algae eaters are the best type of fish to have. Especially the catfish. Those things are darn near indestructible.
I hope you have better luck with Bubba’s betta.
Ahhh, the fish phase.
Ours ended with a hardy little blue freshwater lobster from Israel named Kiki Bazaka. He actually ate goldfish, so it was a switch to buy 10 for a dollar and *want* them to die. It was our own little Wild Kingdom show every day.
And, yeah: we took the family to a famous lobster restaurant in Maine one August for P’s birthday. C took the moral high ground, was incensed that P (and the rest of us) would *eat* lobster when we had one as a pet at home. He ended up sitting in a huff at the next table over, eating salad and mozzarella fries and giving us filthy looks all the while.
Kiki died after a couple of years and was buried with all honors in the NJ grandparents’ back yard. Then we moved, and the fish tank didn’t quite make it.
Eight years later, C will now eat lobster. But I don’t think he’ll ever love it.
Novembrances last blog post..My (Guitar) Hero
Fish are just so gross. The smell, the smell, the smell, the puffy way they die, and also the smell.
But I hope your new fish lives a long and happy fish life.
Cordys last blog post..Seth’s Mom
I always had one beta when I ran a tank. I usually had a ton of small non agressive fish and one beta.
Then we down sized and went with just gold fish, which I liked better cuz they don’t last to long. Well that is until the last batch which lasted 7 years, until I finally gave them away to a person with a pond. Stupid fish. hahahahaha
My son and his names too, we had ruby, gems, jewels, diamond, goldy, and then we had Fred. hahahahahaa
Burficas last blog post..Lookie what I did
I’m laughing as much at the comments as I did at the story.
Ah the fish.
We had a beta. Did you know you can buy them with those cool plants on top where you don’t ever have to clean the tank or anything because the plant and the beta have a symbiotic relationship.
Loved the fish and the plant, as I didn’t have to do anything and they both stayed alive!
Unfortunately, I moved across country and the fishy had to stay behind. I don’t have the room to get one now, though my daughter is leaning pretty heavily on me to get one. She’s dying for some pets, but we rent and our landlords would make us pay extra for them. I love that I still have an excuse on the dog issue especially. “We’ll think about it when we own our own home!”
Here’s hoping your beta lives a long and healthy life!
Eowyns last blog post..It’s gone.
We have two fish tanks — one doing quite well, the other a Tank of Death. It was great for the first two years, but since then, everything we put in it dies slowly and mysteriously. But inexorably. It’s very sad. I hope your betta makes it longer than the goldies. Good luck. Seriously. I know how traumatic the constant Fish Tank Doom can be.
MommyTimes last blog post..The Best Opportunity You May Ever Have to Spend Money Wisely
Goldfish are expendible fish. I always counted on that until we had one that lived for TWO YEARS!!!
My son, when he was 3, named his Beta– Sushi
Sandras last blog post..Variations on a Theme
I’d much rather have fish then a dog. We used to have a fishtank for a while but it got sold at a garage sale when it wasn’t worth moving and setting up and moving and setting up… well- you get the picture.
Amber @ Soggy Cheerioss last blog post..Update- ouch!
Wow…I bet Nemo the Beta is freaking out at all the wide open spaces! Aren’t they usually just put in a little plastic cup or something?
The stories I could tell about fish…
Heffalumps last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
I hate the smell of the fishes…eehhh….nice post…
For some unknown reason I can’t kill fish. Mine always live FOREVER! And I get really sick of them.
Alison Wonderlands last blog post..Almost 50 for 101
Ugh, goldfish. They’re filthy fish, too; they poop almost constantly, so the water gets gross a LOT. Yuck. Beta are much better.
Sorry about the multi-faceted tragedy, though. Ouch.
astartes last blog post..Egging Me On
“Come and eat your fish.” Snort.
I find fish a little creepy sometimes, but I really wish yours health and happiness ok?
I love it that you have a blue-and-red beta fish named Nemo. Any chance you would consider getting a clown fish? Just with all the Nemo talk I figured a clown fish was inevitable.
fishs last blog post..Fish Tank Supplies and Melafix
Just wanted to comment on the subject of dogs. Even though I am not a big fan of dogs, I know that a boy needs a dog, so I accepted our Golden Retriever willingly. I want you to know that that breed is absolutely wonderful with kids. Our Cooper is the most good natured dog I have ever encountered, in fact. For example, he will lope up to little kids, but if they start to cry, he will turn around and go the other way, just to ease the child’s fear. When other dogs come over, he allows them to be “the boss.” Our son never told us he loved us (unsolicited) until he had a dog; the words just burst out of him for that dog, and have also overflowed onto us
Mrs4444s last blog post..Weekly Winners
We bought our sons goldfish more than three years ago. They lovingly named them R and Hoosah. Hoosah died this summer but R is still swimming around, in spite of our best efforts. Very, very weird.
Erins last blog post..Patterns and a Fish Named Brayden
I got a golfdfish when I was five and it lived for 3 years but at the end he got senile and kept jumping out of the tank. Dugh, a suicidal fish.
Goofballs last blog post..Ne me quitte pas
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land hermit crabs make cool pets not to demanding either
Land Hermit Crabss last blog post..Land Hermit Crabs
Thank you for reminding me of that point of view. Great minds think alike!!! I\’m going to link to your site on my blogroll.
we also have a tank which has around 15 fishes. I don’t get it how my son can look at it for hours and still feeling active right after, whereas i get so sleepy just looking at it for 5 minutes. he’s very fond of pets, although it made me think twice whenever he throws one of our puppies on the floor.