I Bought a Fish

Actually, it’s more like four fish. Three danios and one Siamese fighter. This one was a beauty, all red and full of vigour.

The guy at the fish shop said that a three gallon tank would be fine for these fishies. No need for a heater, or filter. The fish would survive without these accoutrements.

This happened in March of this year. And it happened on a whim.

How do you visit a nursery, and not buy a fish though?

The fish shop had a variety of tanks and boasted lovely little “desktop” vessels, perfect for the beginner fish owner.

I was drawn in by the ease and simplicity of having a fish in my room. They don’t mess up your room, they’re low maintenance, and any idiot can feed a fish.

But two days into having these little pets, and the Siamese fighter, which I named the General, was starting to lose his spunk. Not as aggressive, staying at the bottom of the tank, and only coming up for food.

I was worried.

I Googled. And landed on a forum. What a load of pedantic weirdos who failed to offer a noob like myself, any help.

I chalked the General’s behaviour down to finally being at ease in the tank, while the danios darted about their home with lightning abandon.

My father suggested I put them in a big vase that we had carrying dust. How nice. It was bigger, and they seemed to love the new environment, but not the General. He became more and more lethargic.

Some more Googling and I realised that the water may just be too cold for my firey friend. But before I could buy the tank heater, it swam it’s last swim. The General was no more.

The funeral was brief, but dignified.

I thought this would be the last of my fishy troubles. But more awaited.

After washing the vase / fish bowl (and killing all the good media in the process) I marvelled at the beauty of the scene I had created for my remaining fish.

But then I heard a crack. Since I couldn’t see anything wrong, I carried on with whatever else had occupied my mind.

But then, another crack. And I checked again. Now there was some water on the table surrounding the bowl.

I sprang into action. I put some of the water from the bowl, into their first home, and quickly fished them out and placed the danios into the small, desktop tank.

After dealing with the cracked bowl, I gave in, and visited the pet shop near where I work.

There I managed to get a bigger tank, and filter, heater, thermometer, and some rocks for a fraction of the cost of the measly little desktop tank.

I did my research on cycling a tank. And after two weeks, the danios were able to move into their new home.

I haven’t looked back.

It’s amazing what experience and the correct equipment can do for a hobbiest.

Now to find the proper tank decorations…