To think that the parents should be consulted before giving a child a live animal gift?

[BellaeCandelae]

My sister has bought ds a fully-equipped aquarium, with a voucher for fish, for his birthday. I can't believe she's unaware of how I feel about fish. Even typing this makes me feel uncomfortable. It's more than dislike, it's phobic.

I've explained to the dcs that we won't be buying fish for the aquarium, but will look into whether it's suitable for terrapins or frogs.

But I'm furious at my sister, and can't believe that my parents let her get away with it either!

You know, it really sounds like a spiteful thing to do. She is your sister, you have always had this phobia - she surely knows.

I'm afraid I'd be buying her a big box of cockroaches and sticking it under her tree.

I used to keep tropical fish and they are actually a lot of work! So even without your fish phobia YANBU!

YANBU. Just to say, don't get salamanders....they eat LIVE WORMS!

Had another thought about this today. Not sure if it will tick all your boxes tho, sp to speak.
You haven't really said how you felt about the tank generally as opposed to it's proposed inhabitants. If you can be bothered with all the hoo haa of maintaining the water quality etc that an aquatic aquarium entails, but it's the f### that are the problem - how would you feel about freshwater crabs? We had some in our tropical tank and they were fascinating. Some nice plants/foliage etc and crabs busying around could be quite attractive.
Just a thought.

But then this is coming from someone who found herself giving 2 giant snails a bath yesterday,(apparently they like it) so maybe my thoughts shouldn't count for too much!!!