Getting rid of fish?

Question

When my daughter turned 2, me and my husband bought ther some fish fish for her birthday. Obviously we couldnt expect her to clean out the tank, so my husband does it. Well, when we bought the fish, I was told HE was naturally fat. Few weeks later, I had baby fish swimmin around in the tank, and HE was no longer a fat fish. So I called the pet store and told them SHE had babys and I wanted to bring the babys back, they laughed at me. I had 33 to begin with, now Im down to 9. I have ginvin them away, now I dont have anybody left to give them to. I need to get rid of them, and Im not gonna flush them. My daughter dont seem to care anymore, but when I talk aout giving them away, she has a fit. So being a concerned mother, I feel we need to keep them. Our cat has already messed with the tank. My daughter (shes 3 1/2 now) would rather have the cat than the fish. Only serious responses please.

For the one who thinks I can't keep them, I CAN. I have had them for over a year now. The reason I went from 33 to 9, is because I have givin them away to friends and family. I have no problem with the fish, other than I dont want my cat to eat them. THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Answer 1

You have a few options here:

Call your local high school. Most biology departments have fish tanks. If needed they will take them.

Send a not with your daughter to school for the teacher. They can and will let other students know of the free fish.

Find a new pet store. Walmart wont take fish but most other stores will especially if they are free.

Place a free ad in your local green sheet. Someone will take your free fish.

Oh yes wanted to add you can go on the inter net however if you do not want to pack and ship your fish (pain in the but and no way of knowing chances of survival if you are not prepared) stay away from that deal unless someone lives close and can pick them up.

ADDED
Sorry I just read an answer about killing your fish and the best way by hitting it over the head. Most of the time fish do not die, they just suffer. A study at the university of Penn State has discovered the best way to Euthanizing fish. Not freezing either since the fish can feel their tissue freezing. In a home place 1/2 cup of Vodka (Yes I said vodka or any other similar strong grain neutral alcohol) with a 1/4 cup of water together (actually you can use and place your fish into it. The fish become "drunk" and basically paralized, not feeling anything from their first breath. they will quickly pass on in a matter of moments. You also do not have to relive the horror of banging your fish off the counter to try to kill it. Yikes!

I highly discourage this unless you have exhaused the other options.

PS do not use Alka-Seltzer. this take up to 10minutes and sometimes doesn't work.

Answer 2

this is the problem with livebearers, prolific and girls can store sperm and keep on reproducing! unfortunately giving them away is the less-gruesome option, ask around at other fish stores and they may take them back but not until they're old enough to be sexed (3 months+). independant fish stores SHOULD be more sympathetic than chain stores.

you could try on fishy message boards or local places like Loot (uk), craigslist etc for free baby fish.

or you can cull, while your daughter isn't watching of course, the quickest way is a blow to the head. i've had to dispatch a few sick endlers in my time, which are about the same size as other livebearer fry, and i did it with kitchen towel, newspaper, and a heavy book, and then out with the general rubbish or burial in the garden. obviously this is the gruesome option, and should be the last and final option, to too many livebearers, and giving them away is easier!

edit: don't want this to be an argument, but surely having a fish pulled out of his tank, put in a strange container and then having vodka poured on top of it is more stressful, purely because it's less gruesome for the pet owner, than being in the tank one moment and squished the next second and very dead? if it's done quickly, and HARD, then i see no problem. and you wrap them in damp kitchen roll, this means they go nowhere!

if you have a friend with larger tropical fish that are natural piscavores such as oscars, piranha etc they can be passed on as feeder fish. ask around and see!

Answer 3

Another option is to go into your local fish store, ask for a contact of the local aquaria society. One of the members will undoubtedly find a home for your extra fish. Note that even if you don't have a male fish, the female may give birth again. Some livebearers retain sperm and can give birth for up to six months without a male fish present.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Put a post on Craig's list, on Freecycle and also search for aquarium clubs in your area, you might make some great friends in an aquarium club. They will likely help you to get rid of your fish and you might also be able to trade with someone for other things that you need.

Answer 5

Chain pet stores most likely won't take fish, but the small "mom and pop" pet stores will probably take them. The only way I could kill (ethenize) a fish is if it is injured or sick, not just because I had too many (as some have suggested). Somebody will take them if the pet stores won't......... eventually.

Answer 6

I'd keep the fish and teach your daughter how to care for them, its a great learning experience.

Answer 7

the first answer was good. you can also ask her teacher if they would like them for the class room! this way you daughter sill gets to see them. :)

Answer 8

Post an add up on http://craigslist.org/ or http://freecycle.org/
Just find the closest group to you and make sure to say pickup only

Answer 9

Get rid of them. You oviously can't keep em'.