Do you think this is mean?

Question

OK, so my brother got some guppies, like 3 months ago...and he is really irresponsible...he has never cleaned the tank (i cleaned it)...he never cleans the filter (me again)....I bug him about taking care of it correctly so much that it annoyed my parents so much, so im not allowed to say a word about the tank, or take care of it

Well, one of the 4 catfish that live with the guppies got a diesease and died... I told him to clean it, and i asked my parents if i could clean it...and they said no

There is now 2 catfish left, and 3 guppies (out of 10)

He hasn't taken the dead fish out because he thinks the catfish will eat them....but if the catfish eats them they will die also

So, i know that they will all die soon because they are all very sick. Well....my question is

The guppies had some babies, and I took the babies out and they are living in a 1 gallon bowl right now...Well (continued)

I really don't want to deal with the stress and guilt of the way the tank is taken care of after the babies grown up and are put in the big tank...My brother doesn't want anymore fish after these last guppies die....

SOO...I was just thinking of putting the guppie fry in with my betta fish, the betta would eat them, and the guppies would be saved from having to suffer in a terribly dirty diseased tank

Do you think i am being selfish, or am I doing the right thing?

Do you think this is mean???

And my betta fish would probably enjoy chasing around and catching this rare treat

The adult guppies and catfish are to far gone to take to a petstore....And I already have my betta fish and goldfish to take care of...letalone my 3 dogs, cat, 3 hamsters, and my cockatiel...So, i really don't have time to try to nurse the sick fish back to health...

My brother will let me clean the tank...he even gave it to me...but since it was him who insisted on getting them, saying that he was going to take care of them, promising to clean it whenever it needed to be done...so, thats why they won't let me have it

I would definately get another tank for the babys, but I just have so many other pets that depend on my care, and money, I don't really want to spend it on some tiny fish, that could be easily used for my betta fish

Im a total animal lover, and i feel guilty for wanting to sentence these little babys to death...but its really the only decision i have :'(

Answer 1

I think you are in a tough spot,. You want to help innoccent animals, but your parents have told you not to. As tough as it may be, return the guppies to your brothers tank unless you have your parent s premission to remove them. As noble and honorable as wanting to help the fish and try to save the baby fish any suffering, above all else you should honor and obey your parents. Once the fish are gone, ask you parents if you can have the tank.

MM

Answer 2

The perfect thing would be to get a small tank and put the babies in it so they can live, then they would be YOUR fish & you could take care of them. Your parents should be happy that you are being responsible & taking care of your brother's mistakes...

If they will not let you have another tank for the babies, then you should first try to talk to your parents one more time. Take them into a room alone and sit them down. Tell them that you really care about the fish & that you are not trying to be a pest to them or your brother, but that you don't want the other fish to die. Tell them that you want to help him take care of them, maybe you guys could take turns cleaning. If they still say no, you should tell them how you feel about the fish that died, and that they should not let him have any more fish if he won't take care of them. You also need to talk to your brother and see if he will LET you clean the fish tank for him. He'd be crazy not to!

If they still won't listen, or let you have another tank for the guppies, I guess you won't have any choice but to put them in with your Beta. Only if you're sure you can't keep the other tank safe for them though. Maybe tell your brother you'll clean it for him

Answer 3

I don't think what you are considering is mean. It isn't the best solution, but it seems to be the best one you have.

My concern is the irresponsibility of your parents. If they know he is leaving the fish in there after it is dead, and they know that he is not taking care of it, then they need to find someplace else for the fish to live. I would think an adult would have a little more respect for life, especially after having children. Talk to them again, see if you can take over ownership of the tank. Tell them how you have been taking care of it, that you will continue to take good care of it, and as a bonus, you will earn the money to care for it with chores.

If that won't work, ask them to take the living ones to a local pet store and give them to the manager. Let the manager know they are being abandoned.

Furthermore, ask each of them how they would feel in the same situation.

Answer 4

You seem really upset about this I would be too. I don't think its cruel to feed the baby fish to your Betta if you give the fish to the pet store this would most likely happen any ways ( Iam not really sure if that would happen but I pretty sure it would) wow you have a lot of pets you must love animals

Answer 5

Your betta will enjoy chasing and eating the baby guppies, If your brother doesnt clean the tank the fish are going to die (and he knows that) So he probibly just wants them to die. Have a word with your mum and tell her that you want to take over the tank or the fish are going to be poisioned to death.

~ GG

Answer 6

Well, The bete fish thing is a bit ....odd, any ways, if your brother isn't doing anything about it and doesn't want the fish any more, I would take the sick fish and put them in a new bowl. once they get better I would put them back with your other fish. If you don't want to take care of them, try to find a neibor who wants them, orr explain the situation to a manager at petco or petsmart. Mabe they can buy back the fish or something. either way, don't kill them. good luck, and if your parents or brother can't see what's happening, then they don't deserve fish.

Answer 7

i think that you are doing the right thing, because atleast you are trying to help the fish not die a slow and painfull death, what else you can do is that if there is a petshop near you take the fish there and give them in, but if the shop does not take them, then i would go with your idea. well good luck on whatever you decide to do
:)

Answer 8

i think you're really nice to care for his pets after all this time! :) you should take the fish and the fry and take it to the pet store. since your brother isnt going to care for them and leaves them to you, it shows he isn't responsible enough for fish.

another choice is you can take care of the fish yourself since you like them. your brother could just enjoy them without takign care of them. but thats basically what was happening right? just claim them as your own :) you'll have a fish family!
but i'd say take the fry to the pet store. otherwise, feed them if they dont take it!

Answer 9

that does sound mean. so do your parents. instead of feading them to your betta i recamend you take them ( only the babies) to a petstore. they just might give you some store credit for them witch can be used for buying stuff for your other verious pets.

Answer 10

if you can not get hte other help form petsmart why not save the babys just put them in a cup and give it one of the sales pepole they drop them in with the plants until they get bigger