I went to a little craft sale at my church today, expecting to browse around and buy a few baked goods and picture frames for charity. I walk in, and I see a tank, probably about 20 gallons, full of brown water, and about 50 small comet goldfish. A sign hung off of it saying HOME GROWN GOLDFISH-FREE! And two kids holding nets and ziplock bags stood next to it. I walked over to the tank and instinctively began looking at all of them. They all looked relatively healthy, so that helped my temper a lot. The kids explained to me that their father bred them in his pond and didnt have the room for them. I saw kid after kid take ziplock baggies full of fish with them, then sat holding them all through the church service. They netted out the fish, dozens at a time, watched them flop, poked at them, dropped them back in, over and over. kids were bagging them themselves and stuffing the bags in their pockets to take home. It was terrible. I know that they have no decent set up for those animals. I tried talking to people about proper care of goldfish, how they are NOT bowlfish, etc. All I got was people asking me to please leave. At least I was able to tell them that they shouldn't fill the bags up ENTIRELY with water, because goldfish need air too. All through the service I sat and thought about those fish. My mother has strictly forbidden any more fish in this house. So, naturally, one of my friends saw how upset it made me, went over and bagged two up for me, and gave them to me 'as a gift.' Well, my mom can't be mad now. I had to go work at a horse farm right after church, so I set the bag in a bowl at my house and just let the top stay open so the fish had some air. Those little troopers sat in that bag for hours until I was able to come home and tend to them. I went to my basement and got a 10 gallon sterilite bin, filled it with some water, added in a bit extra stress coat, the gravel I had left from an old tank setup, and two plastic plants. I had an old filter, and new media and a new bio wheel which i set up and attatched to the side of the 'tank.' (modefyed slightly, took me at least an hour to get it set up, but I did it!) So at least they are in decent water for once. Just thought I would rant on a bit, I will keep you updated on their progress. I will also try and get some pictures set up.
edited to add, yes, I know that the tank they are in isn't cycled. In such short notice, there wasn't a lot I could do. All pet stores are closed sundays, and I hope to get them a decent tank as soon as possible, I already have enough money.
edited to add, yes, I know that the tank they are in isn't cycled. In such short notice, there wasn't a lot I could do. All pet stores are closed sundays, and I hope to get them a decent tank as soon as possible, I already have enough money.
