Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have released a goldfish into the stream behind our house

170 replies

roseability · 06/10/2008 22:39

Had 2 goldfish (I got them years ago before DS was born) in quite a big tank and I thought they were well looked after

One died of natural causes so we released the other. My DS wasn't interested in them (only a toddler) and I didn't want him getting old enough to want more as I admit they need more looking after than I originally thought

Am I hideous? Mean? Cruel to animals?

Hit me I can take it

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 06/10/2008 23:36

How many goldfish would you put in a 30l tank, cory?

RIP raseability's fish. (Did he have a name?)

cory · 06/10/2008 23:37

I wouldn't put a single goldfish in there longterm, Lynette. Goldfish grow fast (if well looked after), they are greedy eaters and produce a lot of crap. I think a 3 foot tank is more like it.

SmugColditz · 06/10/2008 23:37

I'd love to care, but I don't.

Beachcomber · 06/10/2008 23:40

Thanks cory. I would prefer to leave them if they are doing OK. They are loving it at the moment.

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:40

you are a cold woman colditz

bellabelly · 06/10/2008 23:41

At least you didn't flush it down the toilet.

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:42

They sell all manner of exotic fish at a local aquarium - i was quite tempted by a puffer fish, but i just know id kill it off with ignorance.

mabanana · 06/10/2008 23:44

am giggling at my sheer wickedness at not being very bovvered about a goldfish. It's probably having a whale of a time, so don't carp about it.

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:45

mabanana - that is NOT very sensible much groaning here.

Cory, serious and sensible question here - are goldfish sociable animals or could they not give a toss about being alone?

SmugColditz · 06/10/2008 23:50

I used to bash mackerel against a rock then barbecue them - and this before I was 10.

I just can't whip up sympathy for something I see as dinner.

mabanana · 06/10/2008 23:53

I suppose I have been a bit crabby. Maybe the stream wasn't a good plaice. Hmm..will mullet over...

squatchette · 07/10/2008 00:10

I once got some stick insects they were tiny,then they got big and started to remind me of spiders (am arachnaphobic).So i released them 'into the wild' onto our privet hedge.Sorry Twiggy and Herbert.Thought i was being kind too at the time.
In my defence i was only 10.Please don't report me.

chefswife · 07/10/2008 00:14

my father had a huge goldfish for a couple of years. then one night, he had enough. the goldfish would pick up the pebbles off the bottom and spit them against the glass all night long.

dad flushed him live down the toilet. i imagine it's mutated by now and there are urban myths about him at the sanitation station.

solidgoldskullonastick · 07/10/2008 00:17

Goldfish released into streams/ponds etc often seem to thrive. Can't say I'd lose any sleep over it.

SoloTheCharmedOne · 07/10/2008 00:21

Some Freecycle areas do allow animals to be given away.

Original poster
roseability · 07/10/2008 08:17

I would like to point out that I am NOT a cruel person

I have a cat who is loved and very well looked after

I am a good mum to my DS and a nurse to boot

I do feel guilty and accept that I was wrong but I think some of the accusations are a tad over the top

OP posts:
RubberDuck · 07/10/2008 08:30

The main problem (in my eyes is) that the first fish died. Therefore the other fish may well have been carrying whatever the first fish died of. It was then released into an area where it can come into contact with other fish, potentially spreading a disease that is normally associated with captive fish into the wild population.

It is illegal to dump goldfish - this man was charged for dumping goldfish into the River Thames

Environment Agency crime officer Dennis Welling said: "Although some people may think this is a harmless act, introducing non-native fish into the wild can have serious implications for our native fish populations.

"They carry disease, out-compete native species, and breed so prolifically that they change the natural balance of the ecosystem.

"Although the humble goldfish has been part of our society for 400 years, it is still a non-native species that should be enjoyed in garden ponds and fish tanks, rather than damaging native fish stocks in our lakes, streams and rivers.

"Where the evidence is available we will support our police colleagues in prosecuting those who fail to protect our environment for future generations."

Original poster
roseability · 07/10/2008 08:32

Sorry thought I could take it but I can't, racked with guilt and upset (no less than I deserve eh?)

Shall not post anymore but do want to add that I have had my cat for three years and as I pointed out earlier he is very loved and well looked after.

The fish I had for 4 years. They had a huge tank which was cleaned. Whoever said it takes 20 minutes to clean a tank? It took us 2 hours it was so big. Too heavy for me to lift, so my DH has to accept some of the guilt. However no excuse but I did think he would like the still pond.

OP posts:
Original poster
roseability · 07/10/2008 08:34

I will phone the police myself and explain, I feel so guilty about this

God as if I don't have enough issues, i will carry this forever

OP posts:
Original poster
roseability · 07/10/2008 09:07

I honestly didn't think of that rubberduck or I wouldn't have been so reckless

OP posts:
SoloTheCharmedOne · 07/10/2008 09:27

It's illegal to release other species into the wild too. My friend packed her hamsters bag and put her outside because she ate her babies(hamster ate hamster babies)and left the heads for my friend to find. She was horrified and threw her out. She wasn't aware it's illegal to do so...

exasperatedmummy · 07/10/2008 09:33

Rose - don't worry, you are one person that has put a fish in the stream. So, you know you have done wrong and you are contrite, but whats done is done. You can't turn the clock back, and probably would never find it if you looked for it.

You have to take the positive from these things. You for one wont be putting fish down the river ever again. Others have also learnt from your mistake so don't feel so bad.

We are all here to support you, guilt is a terrible thing. I guess you could go to confession, or organise some counselling.

QuintessenceOfFrankenShadow · 07/10/2008 09:38

Ahhh, who gives a toss about one little fish, BUT:

By cory on Mon 06-Oct-08 22:49:54
Very irresponsible. Non-native fish pose a threat to native wildlife

It is introducing bugs/viruses/micro organisms into the stream which is not there naturally.

It is a little like a westerner bringing a cough/cold to a desolate tribe in the Amazonas, or to an alien world. Could have disastrous consequences to the habitat polluted by your goldfish.

You were clearly not thinking very much, or did you just think up some scenario that would be storm in a fishtank in AIBU over fish cruelty?

exasperatedmummy · 07/10/2008 09:39

Sorry, but PMSL about the hamster being thrown out like a naughty teenager

QuintessenceOfFrankenShadow · 07/10/2008 09:41

CORY! I have Koi. The oldest is nearly a meter long.