How do I get my brother to clean his fish tank? PLEEEZ HELP???

Question

My brother has a betta, and when the betta's water gets dirty, I tell him to clean it. He says he will, BUT HE NEVER DOES! After a while, I feel bad for the poor fish and I clean the tank. And then my brother yells at me because he says he was going to clean it! HE NEVER DOES!

So, my questions are:

1.) How do I get him to clean his fish tank?
2.) How do I get him to actually appreciate it that I'm helping him out because I'm cleaning the tank?

But, most importantly, HOW DO I GET HIM TO CLEAN THE TANK?????

Answer 1

hmm. this is more of a people problem than a fish problem...
You have to stop the urge to clean the tank for him. It doesn't sound he's really responsible but you have to let him do it. If he doesn't do it, the fish will get sick an die.. That's on his conscience.

Answer 2

Seeing how this is more a people thing than a fish thing...

Try and guilt-trip him. Ask him if he'd like to spend another second swimming around in his own poop and pee, inhaling it and everything. He is cruelly killing the betta slowly and painfully. Fish cannot tolerate such high amounts of waste by-products in their water; they get stressed and will DIE.

If he's plain lazy and procrastinating, save a container with a lid you can poke a hole in (clean milk jug) to age some water ahead of time. Then all he has to do is reach for that.

If that doesn't sway him, then I agree - either you take over ownership of the fish or give it to someone that will take better care of him.

He has no right whatsoever to yell at you for helping the fishy. He ought to be ashamed of himself. He's not a very good person if he can't even pour old water out and new water in. It's brainless and requires little effort, depending on the size of the tank.

Answer 3

You probably can't make him do anything he doesn't want.

However - those bettas are expensive - a couple bucks each - if they start dying, maybe he will pay more attention to their needs.

Why not kiddnap the fish? When he realizes the fish is gone, then tell him the fish is hostage until the bowl gets cleaned!

Answer 4

Bribe him with things, but when he does do the fishtank, don't give it to him, He will learn to clean it after a while. If you feel good that you cleaned it and that you may be saving that fishes life, then fell good and ignore your brother, if he still proceeds on yelling punch him. No just kidding. You'l find a way to get him to do it!

Answer 5

IF I were you in your situation I would take the betta and give it to someone who can take care of it or take it and see if the fish store will take it back.

Im sure your brother will be pissed but thats wrong to have any animal; fish or not and to not take care of it. Fish are often treated poorly cause people figure they are very plentiful. Your bro will get mad but eventually he will come to realize that he wasnt taking care of it anyway so why does it matter if he has it or not.

But thats just what I would do.

Answer 6

tell him next time you see the fish living in such horrible conditions you are going to take the fish from him and give it to a pet store. any one who neglects their pets whether it be a fish or a horse should have to suffer the consequences of their actions. tell him if he really doesn't want to care for the fish any longer you will find someone who will. maybe you? good luck i hope that will help. good for you for being kind to pets & tring to instill this into your brother.

Answer 7

your brother is a classic procrastinator, you have no choice but to learn to live with it

Answer 8

Start breaking his stuff until he does it

Answer 9

bribe

Answer 10

PAY HIM