Sunday, September 14, 2008

Today's an eating day and "how not to kill a betta"

First, it's an "EATING DAY" YAY!!! Of course, it didn't start until abut 11:00 and only after we'd offered french toast and then Lucky Charms at 9:30. He finally ate some the Lucky Charms (okay, Marshmallow Mateys, whatever we like them better)and drank a cup of pear juice. This was after chugging two cups of "chobby". Then, E and I sat down to have leftover tacos for lunch and we decided to see if he'd actually eat with us again. This was at 12:30.

He ate: string cheese stick, 2 chicken fingers, 1/2 cup of peas, AND a snack sized KitKat. Plus water.

Oh, and now his favorite word is "soooup-beeee" which means "Super Oobi". If you don't know what or who Oobi is, you need to check him out at this website: Oobi Dance as soon as possible.

Now on to "how not to kill a betta". Last year, just about this time, we inherited our friend's betta fish. They were moving back to Chicago and didn't think the fish would make the 1200 mile drive. HA! HA, I say to them! The first weekend, Duck attempted to commit fishy-cide by dropping the 1-quart tank on the floor spilling blue fish to the floor. He survived. Blue Fish (aka Mr. Fishy at our house) survived the half-block move in May. Really, he got to ride in his cup in the U-haul truck! Still, I think he would have made the 1200 mile trek to Chicago.

Why? Because that's a two to three day trip. While not completely on purpose, but not purposefully paying attention, I managed to not change the water for well over a month, probably closer to two months. The water level was probably less than a pint, dingy and filthy and I honestly can't remember the last time the poor thing was fed.

This morning, I rescued Mr. Fishy changing his water, giving him a full tank to swim around and yes, I even fed him. I think he's happier now that he can swim without his tail touching the bottom of the tank. I'd rather have him in a 10-gallon tank with a filter that I don't have to constantly change, though. But, right now, his 1-quart tank is all we have room for.

So, if you're really looking to get rid of a betta, don't count on it dying in less than a year on its own, don't count on it wanting fresh water (rumor has it they like filthy water), and don't count on it not making a 1200 mile trip. Do it the old fashioned way and buy another one, put them in the same tank and let 'em have at it.

We like Mr. Fishy, really we do. Life just gets away from us sometimes. Thankfully he's a hearty fish.....and really, it's much easier to clean out a tank than to pick up dog poop in the hot, summer, Florida sun.

I just hope that the fresh water and food aren't a shock to his system.

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