Tale of a Fish

Chad is a fish lover. In college he worked in a fish store and he learned so much about fish, types, names, how to take care of them, quality tanks, etc. He even had a 120 gallon tank (salt) for a while. He dreams/talks about the HUGE wall to wall fish tank we will have one day. I already know it will be salt water and when we visit fish stores he points out the types he would like in the tank.

Me? In college I liked fish. I always had pets growing up and I missed that in college. Many a times I would have roommates, friends and even myself get me fish. Goldfish, betas, and ugly little ones, too. Mine always DIED! I must give off a "fish die" vibe. Maybe that is why I am so good at fishing.

On to our girls. They want a pet. Namely, a DOG. However, for the time being that is not a possibility. We have been talking about fish (see above in visiting fish stores) and Madison and Hannah love watching them swim. Saturday we decided we would get the girls a little 1.5 gallon tank with three little fish.

Now I WARNED Chad of my "fish die" vibe and he said it was because I did not know how to take care of them properly (I could agree with that). We got all the supplies we needed. Food, de-chlorinating chemicals (if that is a word?), tank, water that was from their tanks, decorations, the FISH, etc. and headed home.

In order to give these fish a fighting chance, I stayed DOWN STAIRS and cooked dinner while Chad and the girls got everything set up. The little fish were so cute. We left the tank light on while the girls feel asleep and everyone was pleased.

Well, TWO of those cute fish must have gotten my "fish die" vibe. When we went to check on the girls one last time before heading to bed one fish had swam into the filter and the other was sickly at the top just hanging out. Two down in less than 5 hours! The lonely fish seemed fine. There was hope. Lights out and bed.

By morning we had Madison in our room wanting to know where two of the fish were and why the other was playing in the "air thingy." YES... the other fish swam into the filter as well. But would Chad believe my vibe? NOPE! Blamed it on the tank.

After church we went and got two new fish. This time we chose more "hardy" fish that could handle the environment. Anything to give them a shot. Those two guys did well, but by morning one was missing! We went about our morning routine. When Chad asked me to put some water on the dresser to bring to temp, he also added that I should look for the other fish. I searched the filter (took that thing out, drained it, etc), took the net and scooted the rocks around and still nothing! Meanwhile the other fish is swimming around in MANIC mode. Poor little guy.

By evening Chad was home and he looked for the fish like I had done. Cleaned the tank and then commented in passing that maybe the fish jumped out. WHAT? There is only ONE hole in the top that is no more than the size of a quarter. There is no way the fish could jump out. Almost in humor I bend down and look under the dresser and THERE WAS THE FISH! Dried out. The little booger jumped out of the tank. Now if that does not prove that I have a "fish die" vibe I have no clue what does. (semi-joking)

Our lonely fish is still alive. He has been for 48 hours.
Hopefully the more I stay away, the more he will last.