The beta in the bowl....

Anonymous Poster · Jun 16, 2003

There is a blue beta in a little bubble shaped bowl on the back bathroom counter.

I don't think I've ever used that many b's in a sentence in my life.

Anyway, it belongs to my daughter. On a daily basis I pass this bowl, peer in and wrinkle my nose.....ewwww.

It's stinky, it's dirty, it needs to be cleaned at least three times a week, she might do it twice a month. I keep hoping it will go on to fishy heaven but it's always there like a bad penny, glaring at me through the glass, big buggy eyes full of accusations and judgements. You can't help but look at it, it's on eye level every time you sit down.

I want her to be responsible for this fish, she wanted it, she bought it, but I find myself cleaning the bowl when I just can't take it anymore after numerous reminders to her and no response.

I thought about giving it to another kid, but I asked around and nobody wants it. I thought about (God forgive me) sending him on a plumbing excursion. I thought about dumping him in the pond, but I'm not sure if he'd survive. This fish never did anything to me. What would you do?

RichZ · Jun 16, 2003

Well....

She bought it, she's responsible for it!!!

I believe all living things have certain rights, and one of them is to live in a decent environment. Cleaning the bowl should be one of her chores, and if she doesn't do it, as often as it should be done, she should be punished just like she'd be punished for not doing any other chore!!!

I have a real problem with kids buying critters, and then not taking care of them. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jun 16, 2003

This has been going on for months....Jenny, go clean the fishbowl....okay mom. Then I go in there an hour later and it's still not done. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. It's really odd because she feeds her cat religiously.

Von · Jun 16, 2003

She could feed the fish to the cat! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif This would take care of two chores at once! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jun 16, 2003

My kids have 2 of those Betas in little octogon tanks with gravel bottoms. They don't get dirty near as fast(water's clear for 1 week+). Do you have anything on the bottom to hold the "dirt" so that it isn't constantly stirred up. Also feeding the little Beta pellets is MUCH cleaner than the other flake foods.

The tanks are slightly larger than the bowls and are $4 with the gravel, food and conditioner at PETCO or PETSMART.

If they kids won't take care of them bring the fish back to the store, they'll take them.

We have 6 horses if the kids want to ride at the shows they help during the week. My daughter is only 6 but does what she can. My son is 12 and shows no interest until the day of the show. My wife and I tell him we'd love to see him interested but that he has to come out to the barn Mon.-Fri. and then he can ride on the weekend at the shows.

Even if they can't do much just the fact that they are out there doing some minor chore sends the message that they are willing to work and understand the responsibility.

Mrwurm · Jun 16, 2003

Cindi, a Beta is a member of the 'labyrinth' class of fish. These specialized creatures have a adaptive respiratory sytem. They can respirate through their gills like other fish but they can also breath air at the surface just like a mammal. This is why a Beta can survive in a tiny dungeon of a tank and still survive. This South American fish comes from areas that have seasonally poor oxygen concentrations. This fish is a SURVIVOR and could probably live in raw sewage. He may outlive you unless drastic measures are taken.
Your tank stinks because it has no effective system or replenishing oxygen. It has become 'eutrophic'. This means that the 'good bacteria' (aerobic) has been replaced with bad bacteria (anerobic) that produces stinky, foul smelly odors. Solution.... Add a small bubbler to the tank to add oxygen and keep the water moving. This will solve the stinky problem. After that, just change about 25% of the water each month to remove nitrate buildup (prevents excessive algae). Nitrate also inhibits the ability of blood to carry oxygen. This even effects your betta because it does'nt matter where he got the oxygen (water saturation or surface air). Or just add a plant to consume the nitrate and you will have a natural mini-ecosystem. Hurray ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif