Green Group discussion

I never considered pet fish as in need of rescue but of course there will be times when this occurs.
Here is an article with suggestions as to how to find fish in need of a nice home.

https://www.care2.com/greenliving/loo...

Many fish need very specialised care - temperature and salinity need to be a specific level, oxygen has to be provided and water cleaned regularly, and you can't just go on holiday for a week.
Even goldfish in ponds may need extra oxygen at warm times of year, because the warm water holds less oxygen for them to breathe. This means installing a water pump. The pump has to run for winter too, to stop ice forming on the pond which would cut off their oxygen. And ponds need to be cleaned of leaves and algae, protected from fishing herons, and made safe for small children.

Author Tanya Bird admits she caused a problem for her kid's pet betta fish, but handled it admirably, I believe.
She's just had a dog emergency, which probably accounts for not following established routine.


"A few days later, the universe decided that I needed some more pet drama. It came in the form of Phoenix, Mr Eight's beloved betta fish, who became very unwell after a water change.

I should premise this story by saying that I've been bracing for this fish to die since we brought him home, but the thought of it being my fault was too much. I changed the water that day. So as Phoenix was laying lifeless in the corner, occasionally floating up onto his side, all I could think was: how am I going to ever look Mr Eight in the eyes again?

So I Googled. I Googled until I could Google no more, until I was the leading expert on all things betta fish.

It became clear that I had taken out too much of the water while attempting to extract those final fishy poops at the bottom, and added too much new water as a result. And, it was too cold.

Phoenix had gone into shock.

So I did what any leading expert on betta fish would do. I stood there with a hairdryer, blowing hot air onto the glass, desperately trying to bring the water temperature up. While this technique proved effective, Phoenix's health did not improve.

We all went to bed prepared for the inevitable grief that would swallow the house when we woke—and a fish funeral. As the sun was rising, I snuck into the boys' room while they were still sleeping, ready to fish the corpse out (you're not allowed to laugh at that pun) before Mr Eight woke. The aim was to minimise the trauma. But do you know what I found? A happy, swimming, lively Phoenix, waiting to be fed.

I'm not a fish murderer. I'm a fish hero. I brought that fish back from the brink of death.... where I put him.

Clearly, I'm still processing my feelings on this one."