Fish Saga # 2

Did you know that a fish can lose its tail?  Turns out the Hayden Aquarium has been a pond of liquid death!


After the passing of Flo, we restocked, as I mentioned before.  Well, within 24 hours we had a floater.  Chuck, he just up and died.  I don't even think he gave the tank a fair shake before he caught his ride on the porcelain express.  The kids were okay with it...maybe a bit disappointed, but not shaken to tears.
Then, just a few days later the hand of aquatic doom snatched another fish.  Abraham.  This was SHOCKING!  Again? another one? Really?!
 Are the fish like my children and they fight after the light is out at night?? 
 WHAT- in -the- ever living world of cheap fish and aquariums is going on??!!

Now, we have two fish left.  Turbo, new guy, is doing just fine. Rita, on the other hand, not so much.  Did you know that if you have a certain imbalance in your fish tank water...say, waaaay too much copper, it can make some bacteria grow, and then your fish gets "tail rot".  gross.  Sooo, Rita, the (former) Fantail goldfish just hangs out at the bottom or the tank and breathes.   Weird, I know.  We've gone through the steps of treating the water, and aerating it and blah, blah, blah.  So, she lives, but she doesn't really swim, much.  duh.  She wiggles her way around the tank, and eats, and then just kind of hangs out. all day.  The kids don't want to flush her because she's still "alive". But, I dunno, am I in favor of putting her out of her misery?   Seems so cruel.  I haven't read anything that says her tail will ever  grow back...maybe, but, probably not.  What a life.   First, we give her a girl name, Rita. Turns out, "she's" a "he", but I never remember and always say "her", then her pal Flo up and dies, she gets new friends, and barely stay long enough to eat (here's your hat, what's your hurry), and then her fins start rotting off!!  
Needless to say, Turbo, the scavenger fish is doing really well and seems to be enjoying the bounty of Rita's malady.  ew. super yuck.


So, if you're having a bad day, just remember...it could be worse, even for a fish.