Because I'm a Fish Lover...
Last night my husband I went out to dinner at our local Chipotle. The line was long and curled around the dining area, in the middle of that dining area was a woman and two boys. The two boys were, if I were to hazard a guess, probably around 8 or so. They were waiting, obviously, for whoever was in line for them to bring them their food.
I noticed them, because the two boys were absolutely fascinated by a little ziploc bag which was half filled with water and one tiny little orange fish. I wasn't able to tell if it was a goldfish or a guppy or just what it was, but they were lifting it high and peering into it. One big eye looking at a fish in a ziploc bag. Then they would lower it and rest it on the table. Up and down, up and down.
Knowing fish like I do, I had to turn away. The temperature change, the shaking and all that, I don't know for sure but I can hazard a guess that the two boys probably woke up this morning to a fish that was dead and they'll claim to not know why. (sigh).
Please, if you buy a fish, don't stop at a restaurant on the way home and juggle the fish for an hour or two.
In case you're wondering, here's some tips that I have found help when transporting fish, so that their adjustment to their new home goes smoothly. Bring a small brown paper bag, put the plastic bag with the fish inside of it while you transport it home (darkness is soothing to the fish & it will help insulate the fish from possible drastic temperature changes). When you get it home, float the plastic bag for about 15 minutes in the tank (temperature adjusting to the new tank) and then gradually let in a little water from the tank into the bag (chemical adjustment), and then release the fish into its new tank. Don't feed it right away -- wait an hour or two, or even until the next morning.
I noticed them, because the two boys were absolutely fascinated by a little ziploc bag which was half filled with water and one tiny little orange fish. I wasn't able to tell if it was a goldfish or a guppy or just what it was, but they were lifting it high and peering into it. One big eye looking at a fish in a ziploc bag. Then they would lower it and rest it on the table. Up and down, up and down.
Knowing fish like I do, I had to turn away. The temperature change, the shaking and all that, I don't know for sure but I can hazard a guess that the two boys probably woke up this morning to a fish that was dead and they'll claim to not know why. (sigh).
Please, if you buy a fish, don't stop at a restaurant on the way home and juggle the fish for an hour or two.
In case you're wondering, here's some tips that I have found help when transporting fish, so that their adjustment to their new home goes smoothly. Bring a small brown paper bag, put the plastic bag with the fish inside of it while you transport it home (darkness is soothing to the fish & it will help insulate the fish from possible drastic temperature changes). When you get it home, float the plastic bag for about 15 minutes in the tank (temperature adjusting to the new tank) and then gradually let in a little water from the tank into the bag (chemical adjustment), and then release the fish into its new tank. Don't feed it right away -- wait an hour or two, or even until the next morning.
Labels: fish tips
posted by Jammie J. at
6/14/2008 01:34:00 PM
