Getting rid of a fish?

[Anonymous]

A year ago, we bought our DD a betta fish for her birthday. It started out in a bowl, then we bought a 3 gallon tank with a heater and filter and what have you. It was a fun hobby and everyone got a kick out of the fish. Now, it’s a year later and nobody cares about the fish. All the feeding and maintainence of the water levels and changes falls on me, and I’m kind of over it too. To make matters worse, it has some sort of issue with its eyes clouding over. My husband has told me to just flush it, the kids couldn’t care less if I did, but it doesn’t feel right. I’ve taken care of this damn fish for a year, and it feels personal. I don’t want to just flush it! That’s not even right! I listed it on our Listserve but disclosed that it may be sick with something or blind or who knows, so of course nobody wants it.

Am I overthinking this? Should I flush the thing and be done with it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A year ago, we bought our DD a betta fish for her birthday. It started out in a bowl, then we bought a 3 gallon tank with a heater and filter and what have you. It was a fun hobby and everyone got a kick out of the fish. Now, it’s a year later and nobody cares about the fish. All the feeding and maintainence of the water levels and changes falls on me, and I’m kind of over it too. To make matters worse, it has some sort of issue with its eyes clouding over. My husband has told me to just flush it, the kids couldn’t care less if I did, but it doesn’t feel right. I’ve taken care of this damn fish for a year, and it feels personal. I don’t want to just flush it! That’s not even right! I listed it on our Listserve but disclosed that it may be sick with something or blind or who knows, so of course nobody wants it.

Am I overthinking this? Should I flush the thing and be done with it?

Seriously? Just keep taking care of it. How big a deal can that be? Ask your daughter to help you or take over if she's old enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A year ago, we bought our DD a betta fish for her birthday. It started out in a bowl, then we bought a 3 gallon tank with a heater and filter and what have you. It was a fun hobby and everyone got a kick out of the fish. Now, it’s a year later and nobody cares about the fish. All the feeding and maintainence of the water levels and changes falls on me, and I’m kind of over it too. To make matters worse, it has some sort of issue with its eyes clouding over. My husband has told me to just flush it, the kids couldn’t care less if I did, but it doesn’t feel right. I’ve taken care of this damn fish for a year, and it feels personal. I don’t want to just flush it! That’s not even right! I listed it on our Listserve but disclosed that it may be sick with something or blind or who knows, so of course nobody wants it.

Am I overthinking this? Should I flush the thing and be done with it?

Seriously? Just keep taking care of it. How big a deal can that be? Ask your daughter to help you or take over if she's old enough.

The water parameters alone is a big chore in and of itself. Not to mention the 1/3 tank changes. The kids aren’t old enough to tackle this. We never expected a pet store fish to live over a year.

[Anonymous]

so move it back to the bowl.

[Anonymous]

We had an eel that lived for 22 years. You can make it a couple of more months until it dies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so move it back to the bowl.

I should have mentioned, we did try this and it was very “depressed”? All it did was lay at the bottom.

[Anonymous]

If you really don't want it then give it away. Post it on Nextdoor and you'll have a taker by the end of the day. Don't flush it, that's cruel.

[Anonymous]

I'll take it!

[Anonymous]

Your husband is a sick person. Take it to Congressional or any other local fish store.

[Anonymous]

Give it to a fish store, I've done that when my fish had babies or got aggressive. If you think it's ill you can put it down, but don't flush it alive that is awful.

Would you kid's school or dentist take it?

[Anonymous]

omg flush the thing already. it will be in water anyway

bye bye fishy

[Anonymous]

I see aquariums and sometimes fish offered on my neighborhood list serv frequently. We are actually on the lookout for this for an upcoming birthday. Where are you?

[Anonymous]

Please don't get a cat or dog for future birthdays.

[Anonymous]

I took a class on how to teach your children about death. (Betsy Brown Braun, author of "Just tell me what to say" and other books)

She said that the best thing is when the fish is getting old, and then when the fish dies. It's your opportunity to show some kindness to the old, and some respect for the dead. Never flush the fish. Have a little ceremony in the back yard and bury it.

But that being said, they live 5 years, so something is probably wrong with the care, OP. You might want to research it.

And my kids are teens, and I have to say, no matter what kids promise, it will be you taking care of the pet. You cannot expect them to do it and you should assume you will be doing it. Since it's a living thing, you can't let it suffer due to neglect; you have to step up. Which sounds like you are doing. But just saying...for the future...

[Anonymous]

try posting on trashnothing.com

Please don't just flush it!