A couple of weeks ago the girls became seized of the idea that they simply HAD to have a goldfish. On the basis that it was all funded from their pocket money, and that they would be responsible for all care, we agreed.
Andrew carefully investigated the options, and a starter kit was settled upon, which came with tank, filter, decorations and three goldfish. We took the gear home, set it up, waited the recommended two days for the water to, well, do whatever the water was supposed to be doing, and that Sunday three goldfish came home. Harry, Fred and Riley became merry little members of the household.
But alas, that wasn’t the end of the story. On Thursday I was woken by Madeleine thrusting a dead fish in my face and screeching “Harry’s dead! Harry’s dead!”. The horror! What had we done? I was overtaken with guilt, but actually neither of the girls were upset, and Harry was fairly quickly dumped in the rubbish bin.
But it still wasn’t over! Fred, who they had thought was “sleeping”, was dead too!! My guilt was doubled, Fred was paraded around the house in Lulu’s hand, and then he too went the way of the rubbish bin.
We went back to the pet store. Oh dear, they said, that fish tank is FAR to small for three fish. Two fish at the absolute MOST. They tested the water, found the ammonia level was off the scale, and recommended that we immediately change the ammonia soup that little Riley was currently swimming around in. It was a miracle that he was even still alive, apparently.
But hey, we protested, you SOLD us this tank and three fish, TOGETHER! What’s the story? Yes, they agreed, its a stupid kit and we’ve told head office, and here is a voucher for $25, which was actually enough for another three fish, so they obviously expected us to kill off a few more.
We went home, changed the water, waited a week. Then we took another jar of water to the pet shop to check the ammonia and see if we could perhaps have one more fish.
Nope, still off the scale. Riley must be a super fish, and further, maybe he is actually a poisonous fish, emitting the very chemical that usually kills fish? Killing off the competition, Andrew suggested. Who knows. We have another plan, more chemicals, Riley is on a diet (maybe over-feeding created the problem?), and we’ll see where we’re at next weekend.
I don’t know though, I’m kind of fond of little Riley The Superfish, and I’m not sure he wants roommates.
Posted by Pam on February 10, 2010 at 8:01 am
I cannot beleive it – you buying fish!!!!! I still have the fish bowl with the Abelard and Ellouise label on it indicating the last of a long line of goldfish who seemed to quickly move on to Goldfish heaven. Oh well i suppose it is worth a try. Good luck. M
Posted by bettylu on February 10, 2010 at 11:50 am
Hey, we were not going to talk about my sad history with fish! Thats why I stayed away from the whole thing – Andrew and the girls bought the fish and set it all up and do the feeding etc. Maybe just sharing a house with me is enough…?
Posted by Sandy on February 19, 2010 at 8:11 am
Well! Andrew’s history with goldfish is not that good! I remember when he insisted that he wanted a goldfish when he won at some stall at the St Leger races one year. They gave it to him in a jam jar, whic Norman insisted was not big enough. We then bought a goldfish bowl……… I think the fish lasted 24 hours …. the goldfish bowl about 24 years before I threw it out.