A Fish Tale, part 1

This story all started the night of the Dresden Elementary Spring Festival. All the kids were lined up for the ping pong ball toss to try to win a goldfish. My son pleaded & pleaded. I figured we would let him try one turn. That game is next to impossible to win. First toss ...plunk, right in. Nuts! What are we going to do with a stupid goldfish?? I've never had a fish in my life and have absolutely no idea what to do with it. Braxton started going on and on about all the stuff we were going to have to get...as he proudly marched around the rest of the festival with "Goldie" in his little plastic bag. I told him that if Goldie survived til morning we would go to WalMart and buy the stuff needed.

Yep, you guessed it. Goldie was swimming happily in the morning, so after church and lunch we headed to WalMart to buy food, 1 gallon tank, etc. for the new pet. When we got home, Braxton raced out of the car and up to his room to get Goldie. I was standing in the laundry room, still holding the WalMart bags, when Braxton came downstairs bawling his eyes out. Yep, you guessed it again. Goldie had gone belly up. All I could think was, "You have got to be kidding me...how much did I just spend on a fish that is now floating??!!"  Anyways, after a burial...yes - an actual burial in the ground (Braxton would have nothing to do with a proper flushing...) he begged me for a new fish. I gave in, since we now had all the supplies...

The next day I made a special trip to WalMart to buy a 28 cent fish. I picked up a few more fish supplies like a net and some Stress Coat. Braxton was delighted and named this goldfish "Goldie no. 2".

Goldie no. 2 lived two days.

Grrrrr. I told you I knew nothing about fish. At least there were no tears this time.

While running my weekly errands on Thursday of that same week, I decided to stop by Petsmart. I found an employee in the fish department and explained my fish situation. I asked what kind of fish can I not kill? "Get a betta." So I got a betta. A pretty blue male betta. Braxton named him Bob.

Bob seemed fine, but didn't do much. I goggled bettas and found out he was not moving around much because he was too cold. Bettas are tropical fish and do better with a heater. I also found out that heaters work best in a 5 gallon or bigger tank. Back to WalMart - again. My hubby just shook his head that night at the new fish stuff. "Getting a little expensive for what started out as a free fish, don't cha think??" I agreed, but Braxton loved it. And we were starting to learn a lot about fish. And it was kind of fun.

So far to date, Bob has hung in there. We did have a little scare once when he was not swimming so well - actually kind of sideways! - but a new filter and some fresh water seemed to do the trick. We also have a song for Bob (sung to Bob the Builder tune):

Bob, the Betta

Can you swim it?

Bob, the Betta

Yes, we can!

Bob has been quite entertaining and educational. Bettas are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, and if you have a male, they must be kept alone as they will fight with other bettas, sometimes to the death. The males have beautiful long flowing fins and can be found in many different colors. When they see another betta (or in our case his own reflection in a mirror) he will puff out his gills, spread his fins and shimmy back in forth to intimidate the other fish! Like I said, quite entertaining.

Here is our little Bob in his new 5 gal tank, complete with sunken ship, treasure chest and sea plants. The tank resides in Braxton's room and makes a nice night light at bedtime. :)

He loves to hide in his little cave.

Bob sees the other fish (his reflection in a mirror).

All puffed up and ready to fight!

Now sing it with me..."Bob, the Betta....." ;)