my friend is doing a boy scout thing where he has to take care of 3 fish for 30 days but he feeds them too much and he hasnt changed the water in 2 weeks . it smells horrible. His family know nothing about fish and when i try to tell him he needs to change the water he ignores me .How do i tell him he has to do this. When i helped him set up the tank he added dirty rocks and sandy coral to the tank when i told him not to .Then I said that he shouldnt have done that and all he said was well if the fish die its your fault.
2007-03-08 04:35:06 · 11 answers · asked by carlsbadcaliforniaskateboarder 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Offer to help him take care of the tank.
MM
2007-03-08 05:19:07 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few questions here -
1) What EXACTLY are the requirements for the badge - keeping the fish alive, or showing he knows how to take care of an aquarium?
2) Who is the scoutmaster? And do they distinguish between the items in #1 (these things are called "MERIT" badges for a reason!)? Can you speak to this person about your concerns?
3) Who do the fish & equipment belong to? And what's going to become of them when the 30 days are up?
If this boy isn't really interested in fishkeeping, there's really little you will be able to do to get him to change his habits. If it's just that he doesn't know any better, it would be nice of you to show him how to do proper tank maintenence - once! It's his badge, so you really shouldn't have to do his work for him.
Here aer some websites that might be helpful for this boy, his parents, and the scoutmaster:
http://www.fishlore.com/Beginners.htm
http://www.firsttankguide.net/
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cat=1977
Good luck!
2007-03-08 16:22:00 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steer him to the library where he can check out some books on aquarium-keeping for beginners. He can gain some very good insight to keeping fish. Then you could probably help him in learning how to do things.
P.S. Tell him fish are living beings, too and need to be taken care of just like any other living thing.
2007-03-08 12:44:08 · answer #3 · answered by Becca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you did the right thing, if he doesn't wants to listen, and you really care for the fish, clean it up your self and make him help you. then maybe he will learn how to clean it! PS: buy some fish thank rocks at the pets store you can get them for only 3.00 a small bag.
2007-03-08 12:41:37 · answer #4 · answered by Red Rose6690 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He sounds like a pain in the tush. You have done what you can. If you care about the fish, then talk to the boy's parents.
2007-03-08 12:43:02 · answer #5 · answered by rrrevils 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Change the water WITH him.
Show him how and help him.
Don't just throw around orders, that won't get you anywhere.
2007-03-08 12:39:59 · answer #6 · answered by sonicachic311 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that eventually his fish will die if the water isnt cleaned properly.
2007-03-08 14:10:03 · answer #7 · answered by aroot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he sounds horrible! just say ur fish will all die and it will all be ur fault and u will not get ur badge
2007-03-08 14:41:45 · answer #8 · answered by knoxy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
be straight forward with him, provide examples of what he is doing is wrong via a book or the internet
2007-03-08 12:41:36 · answer #9 · answered by jacey a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell him he won't get his badge.
Or just take them off him and do it yourself. Then tell the scoutmaster.
LOL
2007-03-08 12:38:44 · answer #10 · answered by Stealthy Ninja 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋