A new fish?

So...for some reason for the last few years, I have wanted a fish tank at work. Maybe it is because my dad has one in his office and I always thought it was cool or because I can't keep a plant alive to save my life, who knows...but I got a small Beta last year, named him Sushi (morbid, I know) and he was my buddy at work. Last September, Sushi left us...I think he just worked too much (he was always at the office) or maybe he was worried I wasn't coming back, since he made his final jump while I was out of town or perhaps it was just because as I learned after some research...Betas like to jump and he did just that. We will never know since he can't tell us after his passing and the fact that he was a fish. My coworker wrote this fabulous eulogy for him.

After a little under a year I decided to get a new fish, I decided an upgraded tank was necessary because I wanted him to have a bit more room to move around. I went to the pet store and picked up Martini...a fabulous blue beta, a new 2 tank with pump, a rock, and some plants for him to play around. Got him all set up in the new tank on Sunday and was excited to have my new office mate (Title: Director of Aquatic Resources).

Monday I came in and decided that I wanted to do some additional research to make sure that this fish had the best life. I didn't know if I was responsible for Sushi's death, but I didn't want it to happen again. I consulted the web and an expert (Katelyn...she should really blog about her happy fish family) and the interwebs.

I found out that I was a horrible fish owner...did you know that a Beta shouldn't be kept in a tank smaller than 5 gallons? that you need to be considerate of the type of plants (alive or fake) that are in the tank because of their fins? that they don't like currents? that they need warm water? Oh and that you need all of this bacteria in the tank for happy fish/water/plants? I felt so guilty for the life that I put Sushi through and any fish prior to him for that matter.

So this little addition to the office because a larger project. Amazon - beta hammock, beta log, testing kit. Pet shop - larger tank...8 gallons, new rocks, new plants (live ones).  This is a picture of the upgrade from the 2 gallon to the 8. Lucky fish...

So, I let the water settle over night and then transferred Martini over on Friday. Unfortunately...I came in on Monday and he had passed away (no need to give me a hard time...I feel horrible enough about it all on my own). Katelyn researched it for me and he died of new tank syndrome...if I remember correctly. Basically he wasn't strong enough to handle all of the changes that a new tank goes through.

So it has now been 2+ weeks and probably $150 later and I am still without fish. I am working to get the right bacteria levels (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate). I have a heater, the right power of pump (that was a whole other story, but all I can say is that the customer service at Aqueon is amazing), live plants (I don't have to water them...so they should survive).

Life Lesson: Research fish before you get them, you are taking a life into your hands...take care of it. As crazy as this sounds, Betas were not meant to live in little cups/vases/etc...they need space. Same goes for any animal. Once I get this all set up...the fish or fish (plural) that live in there will be very well taken care of.

Cool random fish at the aquarium...he would pretty much take up my whole 2 gallon tank.