Princess Sparklefairy 2.0

So, I pulled the classic mom move did a bait and switch with the fish. Princess Sparklefairy has been replaced and the Shaolin Toddler is none the wiser.

Diva Girl knows, though. At 8, it would've been hard to hide the empty fish bowl from her. Heck, Regan noticed the empty bowl. It's just that at 2.5, Regan will still believe you if you happen to tell her that Princess Sparklefairy is on a playdate at the pet store and will be back tomorrow. Sabrina just isn't that guillable anymore. She is, however, just happy to have another shot at this pet ownership thing.

So, this time, put a lid on the bowl. Anything else I need to know? Or should I just plan on Princess Sparklefairy the Third? Or just dive in and get the damn hamster?

Comments

EEKK Dont put a tight lid on the bowl. My brother did that and all the goldfish died! Something about cutting of the air! Use a piece of pantyhose and an elastic.

Hey hon, we are on fish #15. Get them at walmart, they are only $3 there. Also, if you have them in a bowl, you dont need a lid, just keep the water 1 inch from the top. Also watch R with the fish. She may pull what Alexandria did with hers. She took fish #2-8 out of their bowls and pet them. Ohh just thought of a new thread.

Get a rat.

I'm serious. (and please, no one freak out at rats)

They're great little pets, like cats, and they don't bite (IF they're well socialized)

That's what we'll be getting some day for the girls.

We have several cats drifting in and out but we also have a white rat. They do make good pets and they're relatively low maintenance.

But then so is a cat.

Don't get a hamster. They're sort of traumatically inclined to die. I really think that bigger pets, while they seem like more work, are actually easier then small, death-prone, finicky, easily-lost-in-walls pets. Plus, the bigger pets are much more emotionally satisfying, which makes it easier to care for them. (It's more fun to clean up for your charming, wonderful, interactive puppy than it is for your hamster.)

We LOVE hamsters around here. Teddy bear hamster, not man-eating vicious miniature ones. We've had three over the years, each living out their full cute, cuddly, curious, bright-eyed lifespan.

Then we had number 4, who, as of three days ago, is Missing, Presumed Dead. Poor litte mite. I'm hoping it was over quickly.

We've had dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, fish, turtles, birds, rats, and gerbils. I think fish are great Starter Pets. Low-maintenance and (even when not suicidal) blessedly short life spans...

I have found in my 24 years of trying to keep fish alive that if they are jumping out of the bowl, it means there is most likely something wrong with the water. Which means change the container won't help. You'll probably need to either treat your water, use spring water, or get a different pet. If there is nothing wrong with the water, it just might be air. I think that even with the bowl not covered, they need some kind of circulation, which can be remedied with a relatively inexpensive pump. I do agree that fish are great starter pets, I just wanted to let you know about the water thing so you wouldn't get frustrated with why your fish keep dying off.

Uh, I didn't read this post before I made my comment in another entry! Oh well. Here's a link to a basic care sheet for betta's. My family has had our betta for a year or so.

http://www.bettatalk.com/basic_care.htm

And also, I agree that dogs and cats are much easier to care for than fish and hamsters. The let you know when things are wrong or when they're hungry or when they need to pee...

You should also know that betta fish like and need to have warm water. If Princess Sparklefairy suddenly looks very lethargic (yes, I realize we're talking about a FISH here). But if she stops swimming around and is kind of motionless, it may be because the water is too cold. They sell special warming lamps and such, but I usually just stick the fish bowl under my desk lamp for a few hours and wha la! Betta fish also like hearty protein diets, so feed betta pellets or dried bloodworms, not goldfish flakes (they all cost about the same amount and are in the same section at the pet store). Hope that helps!

Ah, fish. An excellent introduction to the conversation about death. Depressing little pets, really.

Well there are many valuable insights here (most of which will probably cause me to avoid a pet fish at this point in time!!) I agree with the filtered water idea (worked a charm for the school fish!), and a pump/bubbler but they stop being cute when they get expensive!! My biggest advice is put the food away so the kids don't feed it unsupervised (that way you know who fed it and when!), overfeeding is the number one killer of fish (not suicide as you have already experienced!!). Good luck with your small scaly friends

Make sure when you change the water that you use a dechlorinator (it's cheap and the bottle will last you forever) to remove toxic chlorine and such. Yes, a cover is a good idea but you do need to have some airflow in there as Bettas are labrynth breathers, meaning they take thier oxygen from the atmosphere not the water. They like still water, and hiding places. A plant or a small cave (some use tiny clay flowerpots) will be great. Other than that, if you feel like the water temperature changes often you might want to invest in a small heater. Properly taken care of, these guys can live for years and years. Good luck!

I got a hamster for my 12th (or so) birthday. When I took it out of the box, the little jerk bit my thumb SO hard! I still have a scar =(