Got Fish?

Posted November 29th, 2006 by Mom |

I thought it was funny, a little bit strange, when I read that my sister in law’s fish (they have 5 boys, ages 7 and under) committed suicide.  I now totally understand and find it not one bit strange, but a lot smart on the part of the fish.
Let me begin by stating that I have a cold… the kind of cold where your bones, throat, and head hurt.  I was in bed this morning and wanted to take some extra time waking up.  When I heard my two boys (ages 4(C) and 2(J)) playing, I was glad that they weren’t asking to play with me.  I now wish they had wanted to play with me instead of the alternative.  The alternative turned out to be our female beta fish and her tank.
When C the 4 year old came into the bedroom to tell me that J the 2 year old had made a “considerable mess,”  I was quite concerned (and proud of the multi-syllable word).  C was totally naked.  When I asked him where his clothes were, he responded, “I didn’t want them to get wet.”  This was a clue to the considerable mess.
In our kitchen, we have a 2 gallon fresh water tank with marbles instead of rock.  The tank sits on our kitchen bar.  When I approached the kitchen, I saw marbles and water all over the counter and floor.  About ¾” of water was missing from the tank.  In addition to the water and marbles on the floor, I found a 12 inch metal skewer, a whisk, a drinking straw, corn cob holder, a Bob the Builder plastic hat suitable for a toddler, and a 4 inch toy bulldozer.
(Later…)  Blue, the beta fish is still alive, her fish castle is broken, but replaceable.  Time will tell if there was any damage done to her.  I have drawn some new water for her and am waiting for it to adjust to room temperature.  This afternoon, she will have a clean, fresh tank.
The memory of this “considerable mess” will last awhile for me.  Thankfully I have read that fish don’t have a long memory retention.  If indeed they do, the next time C and J come near Blue with a skewer, she might have a heart attack.
…………….
Now that the bulk of the mess has been tended, I have also swept the floor and will mop it during the kids’ nap/rest time.  As an aside to my wonderful husband, the play-doh that was on your favorite rug has been removed as part of my extensive kitchen cleanup.