sad story

[guppygirly]

Well my neighbor was so enamored with my fish that she decided to get some herself. I explained the whole cycling process so she would not have to go through the same ordeal I did. Did she listen? No. She let the water sit for 3 days and today she went to get fish; 2 angels, 2 tiger barbs, and a catfish looking shark...all of this for a 10 gallon . She said the store told her that the shark would get to be about a foot or so (apparently she thinks it will be fine since her tank is 20 inches long ) I am just so sad, her poor fish! I'm hoping she will get tired of them and take them back soon. She said she only plans to change her water 50% once a month with straight tap water. What should I do? She apparently thinks I'm stupid, everytime I tell her about anything she asks someone elses advice. More than likely she just wants to hear someone tell her the answer she wants to hear. Sorry for the long rant. I knew y'all would share in my frustration.

 

[sinistral]

Her poor fish indeed! You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make her learn how to keep fish in it, unfortunately Since she's so set against listening to you I might try to offer your assistance if she feels like she needs it ("let me know if you need some help!"), otherwise to let her make her own mistakes. Then, hopefully you won't be too magnanimous to say "I told you so."

 

[Adrinal]

There is really nothing un-drastic you can do
Been there seen that with some of my friends
what can you do when a "qualified" person give them advice.

World has always been that way, and the monkeys are only using different toys not any brighter at all.

 

[Olive]

Well my neighbor was so enamored with my fish that she decided to get some herself. I explained the whole cycling process so she would not have to go through the same ordeal I did. Did she listen? No. She let the water sit for 3 days and today she went to get fish; 2 angels, 2 tiger barbs, and a catfish looking shark...all of this for a 10 gallon . She said the store told her that the shark would get to be about a foot or so (apparently she thinks it will be fine since her tank is 20 inches long ) I am just so sad, her poor fish! I'm hoping she will get tired of them and take them back soon. She said she only plans to change her water 50% once a month with straight tap water. What should I do? She apparently thinks I'm stupid, everytime I tell her about anything she asks someone elses advice. More than likely she just wants to hear someone tell her the answer she wants to hear. Sorry for the long rant. I knew y'all would share in my frustration.

I had the same thing (well, very similar at least) happen to me with my next door neighbor............I got on her nerves so bad that she lets me come over now and do all the tank maintenance, feeding, and the like. I even bought her betta a tank and heater 'cause he was cold and sick! She thinks I am stark raving mad, and tells me so, but I don't care. I know that someday in Heaven that little betta will thank me for taking care of him............just keep on her and maybe she will give in.

 

[noop]

if she doesn't care enough to do it right, maybe when things inevitably go wrong she'll be looking to offload the whole set-up, and you can take it off her hands

 

[Olive]

if she doesn't care enough to do it right, maybe when things inevitably go wrong she'll be looking to offload the whole set-up, and you can take it off her hands

good thinking Noop!!!

 

[st.cichlid]

MAN WHAT AN IDIOT bet you all 10 bucks(pounds) that the angels die in a week bet ya the ph is 8 just like idiots that think they can put africans s.americans and brakish in a 10 gallon or o's in a 10 or jd's in a 20 how old is she my fiend keeps a 1' goldfish in a 10 but he is going to move it soon and knows as much as we do but his mom has a prob with his tanks he needs a 30 put it in his basement with a heater i have got to talk to his mom

 

[guppygirly]

I'm hoping she'll give it to me, but if not I'd be more than happy to go over and do her tank maintenance etc. I'm sure she won't give it up 'till she kills at least a few of them...very stubborn girl Although, in her favor she is giving them a varied diet of live frozen brine shrimp and some good tropical flakes.

 

[guppygirly]

Update:
Well she has managed to kill the shark and one of the angels...another soon to follow I fear. I went over there today and asked how often she changed the water and tried to figure out what was wrong with her angels. She doesn't change the water and tops it off with regular tap water..chlorine and all. The angels both had fin rot and the barbs have ich. So I did a water change and medicated with some anti-fungus, but too little too late. She asked what to do and I said water changes, but she said she doesn't have time like me. I understand that single moms have it a lot harder, but if you don't have time..don't get pets!

 

[Doggfather]

She asked what to do and I said water changes, but she said she doesn't have time

thats a pretty poor excuse, a water change on a 10 gal tank would take 10 mins Max!!!

 

[noop]

that's like having a baby and saying you don't have enough time to feed it. except of course that fish are much cuter and less smelly than babies

 

[guppygirly]

aww..babies aren't smelly. I enjoy my babies as much as my fish..j/k I enjoy my babies more, of course!

 

[nightlife20]

i suggest the next time this 'friend' asks u what to do is tell her to pack it in an call it a day

point out all her excuses to her
1) shes not got time
2) she has a child and its alot more work
3) she killed off fish within so many days/weeks it obviouse this hobby aint for her because she wont listen to a thing ur tellin her

and point out that if she had listened to u in the first place none of this would have happened.

 

[maestro]

why not lend her a book

 

[Landlocked]

Give her the address for this website, and make her read some of these! After that, she may realize that she really needs to change her attitude towards fishkeeping.

http/fish.orbust.net/forums/

Or, you could get her a good fishkeeping book.