My dad's tank of death

captmicha

captmicha

Le tired.
Dec 6, 2006
2,052
0
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40
Maryland, USA
I really have no idea how to deal with this. This is the situation.

My dad has a 29 gallon tank. He does a water change like once a month, if even that often. He doesn't even keep any plants in it. He overstocks it, and not only with too many fish but also with fish that are too large. He doesn't quarantine either, he buys fish from disease infested Petsmart/Petco tanks and throws them in his tank. Half of his latest acquisitions have died: two angelfish, some tiger barbs, some platys, and others. This raises another problem, he has a single tiger barb and a single platy, both of which, as you probably know, are schooling fish. Being without a school stresses them. Anyways, you know what he said after all those fish died? "Oh well. I'll buy more."

A paradise fish he has has raw lesions where the skin is missing. He hasn't bothered to try to keep the water cleaner or to at least medicate it.

I suggested to him that he return two bala sharks that will outgrow his tank and exchange them for two tiger barbs but he said no, that he's just going to buy two more tiger barbs. So now, it'll be even more crowded.

He's been keeping fish since before I was born (I'm 24) and there's no excuse for this. It's not like he doesn't know better. He just doesn't care.

I offered him some life plants and he declined. I volunteered to clean his tank for him and he declined. Even if I sneak around and clean the tank without his knowledge, I'd have to do countless cleanings every week.

I've talked to him about it without losing my temper (really hard), I'll yelled at him, I've asked my mom to do something and nothing has made any difference. He doesn't care and his fish are suffering and I'm suffering because they're suffering. It's so stupid and unnessicary. Any advice?
 
This is a really tough situation. If you can at least keep doing small things (like partial water changes) when he is out of the house or won't notice, it might help a little. I hate to say it, but the way you are describing things, the situation will take care of itself.

Could you ask your dad if you could care for and quarantine the most seriously injured fish? It's understandable that you would be really angry at the situation, and you are doing the right thing by keeping your temper under control. The best you can do is calmly and gently suggest that he do the right thing. Beyond that, there is, unfortunately little that you can do., but I DO believe that getting angry with your dad (especially if he is that stubborn about his fish) will not help the situation and may make it worse.
 
This is going to sound harsher than I mean it to but here goes.
It's his fishtank. I understand that it's frustrating seeing his unhealthy fish but when it comes down to it, it's his tank and his fish. You've offered him help in various forms and he's declined all of them. Sneaking behind his back isn't going to help a thing. It's not going to teach him and, if caught, could very well peeve him off. Remove yourself from the situation. I'm hoping you don't live at home so when you do visit, don't look at the tank don't talk about the tank, just act as if it's not there.
I view it this way, he's not going to take/get help until HE wants it.
 
Is there another "hobby" that he really enjoys? I know that big chain stores are able to sell fish for a rather small cost but maybe he would learn to understand the importance of maintaining a tank if it helped ease his pocket or if he had more money to spend on other things. Maybe that is an angle you could try.
 
i'd lock him in a closet, shoving food under the door for a week, and tell himthe entire time this is what your fish fell like!
 
well you can do water changes for him as a starting point
 
i'd lock him in a closet, shoving food under the door for a week, and tell himthe entire time this is what your fish fell like!
Click to expand...

:laugh:

And I do live at home. And can't help but see it because my tropical plants that I bring in for the winter are in the same room.
 
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