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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

FFS, we took pity on a fish at the fair yesterday.

31 replies

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 09/06/2013 11:53

I know, I know. But we already had a small bowl set up ready to change the water in our big tank and now one of the poor souls who was being boiled alive in a plastic bag is now residing in said bowl.

I say that but it's more sitting at the bottom of the bowl, don't think it's going to last tbh but can anything be done ?? Think it has gill rot ??

OP posts:
schobe · 09/06/2013 11:55

Oh god we did this and it also killed the fish we already had. I ordered some drops to try and treat some sort of rot, but there was no chance really.

I know they're only goldfish but it was quite upsetting

LEMisdisappointed · 09/06/2013 11:55

Hit it over the head and flush it down the toilet? Sounds mean, but kinder than letting it suffer. I didn't think that fish were allowed to be sold in fairs anymore? poor thing

Original poster
ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 09/06/2013 12:02

It's disgusting. I wasn't there, it was dp. He knows my views on this sort of thing, if people refused to take fish the practise would have died out by now.....but he's also a bigger soft touch than me and the poor things were hanging off hooks in rows right in the blazing sun. I think it needs to be made illegal, wouldn'tbe so bad if the poor things were in large containers, least they wouldn't be fried alive that way.

I've put some water treatment stuff in, but don't think much can be done, dp will be dealing with it.

OP posts:
LEMisdisappointed · 09/06/2013 12:04

Also, i think DP is going to have to buy a new bowl if you are to put your other fish in it now Confused

Original poster
ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 09/06/2013 12:06

Oh the bowl is only a small critter tank thing, we just use it for water changes, it will have to be binned now.

OP posts:
Dawndonna · 09/06/2013 12:54

We had a goldfish from a fair. Thought it wouldn't last ten minutes. It lasted eight years!

Original poster
ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 09/06/2013 12:58

Talk about the power of MN, the fish is now moving ! Shock

OP posts:
MissSparrow · 09/06/2013 16:31

Good on you and your DP, OP Thanks

blueemerald · 09/06/2013 16:34

My brothers and I got 3 fish from a fair when I was at primary school. They lasted years and got pretty big! I think goldfish are hardier than people give them credit for but need time to recover.

DeskPlanner · 09/06/2013 16:50

Poor little fish. Please update and let us know how he gets on. Has he got a name ?

DeskPlanner · 09/06/2013 16:50

Poor little fish. Please update and let us know how he gets on. Has he got a name ?

Original poster
ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 09/06/2013 16:52

It's bloody swimming Shock must be the stuff I put in the water. It seems very fishlike happy.

If it lives it will be called goldie like the other two lucky. Smile

OP posts:
OhWouldYouJust · 09/06/2013 16:54

Bottom sitting sometimes means constipation.

Do you have any frozen peas? If so, shell one and warm it in your hand, then break into tiny pieces and put into the water.

Usually works in about 10-30 mins Smile

xylem8 · 09/06/2013 16:56

I thought having fish at fairs had been illegal for a few years now?

LEMisdisappointed · 09/06/2013 16:58

Feels bad for suggesting a sharp blow to the head now!

SizzleSazz · 09/06/2013 17:00

Peas work well for swim bladder problems so with a shot. My childhood fish from a fair also lasted about 8 years!

thecatneuterer · 09/06/2013 17:42

I also thought it was now illegal to have fish at fairs (and it certainly should be!).

I won one from a fair when I was five years old, and ended up adopting two friends' fish -also won at fairs. One lived to be 12, one to 16 and one to 21!

LaurieFairyCake · 09/06/2013 17:49

This thread is making me want a goldfish! Hmm

Do you have to have posh tanks with filters and castles in it?

ShadowStorm · 09/06/2013 17:50

I saw fish at a fair yesterday too. They were prizes on a hook-a-plastic-duck stall.

Is that really illegal?

kim147 · 09/06/2013 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PseudoBadger · 09/06/2013 17:56

I think it's legal if over 16 or accompanied by an over 16 :(

EauRouge · 09/06/2013 17:57

They get enormous and can live for over 20 years. If you don't have space for a 4 ft+ tank or a pond then you'll need to rehome it. A pet or aquatic shop will be your best bet.

The reason it's keeling over is that it's in an unfiltered, uncycled bowl. The ammonia level is probably shooting up. Do a massive water change, and do this every day until you can move it.

Giving fish as prizes isn't illegal Angry (as long as the recipient is over 16) but some councils have banned it. If you write to your local council then they might ban it on their property.

furbaby · 09/06/2013 17:58

Christ not visited a fair in years but thought they had stopped giving fish as prizes ..,, can, t believe it still carrys on .
If it was a puppy or kitten as a prize then I am sure rspca would have something to say .....
Not good ! Hope fishy survives and has a happy life .

Original poster
ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 09/06/2013 17:59

I hate seeing fish in crappy bowls (( where goldie aka lucky is currently residing )) Our two fish are in a massive tank with plenty of places to hide and a big ass filter. More to it than people think, they can become huge and live for years, longest we've had fish is 15 years (( R.I.P Jaws ))

OP posts:
ProudAS · 09/06/2013 18:19

Sounds like you have already got fish OP so should know how to care for it.

Winning fish at a fair as a child was what actually got me into keeping them although I think it should be banned.