Do you have friends like this?

[famman]

My good buddy thought he'd bring me and the kids a late holiday present; he brought 8 fish.
(Fish store guy - Are you sure your friend has room for all of these fish?
My Buddy - He has tanks all over his house, he'll figure something out.
FSG - Saltwater or freshwater?
MB - Uh, I think it's freshwater, but I'm not sure.
FSG - What's his PH like?
MB - What's PH?)
In my friends defense, at least he didn't bring me 2 pacus, 2 oscars, 2 red tailed sharks and 2 channel catfish.
What he did bring me was 2 angels, 2 otos, 2 neons, 2 danios. Not too bad really.
I thought of getting him something in return, like 8 St. Bernard puppies.
:)

[ArkyLady]

LOL if you could just borrow an armful of puppies to bring to him as a "surprise" it would be great! Just the look on his face would be worth it. Or maybe an armful of kittens :D

[pinballqueen]

All my friends learned a long time ago not to bring me pets....

They would get them back when they outgrew my tank....

(Most of my friends are pet hobbyists of some sort...all of them have tanks all over the house.)

[goldfries]

LOL.

Rule #1 : Never buy fish as a present, they're never good unless requested.

[125gJoe]

Yes... I'd like to take over his 55 gallon saltwater tank and have another nice planted set-up. He's lost interest in it... The water is clear, but he has a bright green algae growth that won't quit..

[RTR]

Sorry, that is no friend.

Anyone who tried to bring me a live present would get it back, probably politely, but firmly.

If they refused, I would ask if they prefer to watch while I use the garbage disposal, or would they consider the freezer more humane? I would not actually do that, but I definitely would not accept or keep the fish.

[famman]

RTR,
Oh, he's a friend. He's just a complete dufus, he really meant well. He also got the complete lecture from why it wasn't a good idea, through the nitrogen cycle, past filtration, decorations, ecotypes and fish behaviours.
And, it wasn't completely out of the blue, he knew that I'd been getting fish recently. He didn't make a bad set of choices and I do think I'll be able to fit everyone in with no problems.
:)

[morleyz]

I think I'd probably buy him a nice 10 gallon or something and give it to him...comes fully stocked.

[famman]

Hey, that's not a half bad idea, he even said he was thinking about getting fish.
:)

[Fisher Price]

cut him some slack, he meant well. When buying gift for others we usually keep their hobbies in mind, but of course we should do a little research first to see what they actually need.

[RTR]

Sorry, still strongly disagree. Anyone who buys any living creature for a gift is rude and inconsiderate. The only exception would be if it were all arranged in advance, with full approval.

[famman]

RTR,
Well yeah, he is rude and inconsiderate. But like Donkey yelled to Shrek, "THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS DO, THEY FORGIVE EACH OTHER"
:)

[valerie]

gift certificates! I always tell my family and friends don't buy me fish. If you want to get me fish stuff get a gift certificate and i can choose my own. They can even come and help pick them out. That way there is no unwanted fish.