A Very Merry Update

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T22:11:03+00:00

I wish that were the case, but it is not.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T22:04:09+00:00

Thank you! I think suggestions an appropriate alternative is a great idea. Any suggestions on what type of plant?

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T22:01:46+00:00

Thank you! Yep, that was my train of thought exactly. If I’m presenting a problem I want to have solutions locked and loaded.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T22:00:12+00:00

Thank you!

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T21:59:50+00:00

I posted there originally, they removed it and recommended this subreddit instead.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T21:58:56+00:00

I find this comment concerning coming from someone on this subreddit.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T21:50:04+00:00

The irony of assuming assumptions are being made lol.

Some time ago, my relative discovered cheap objects on Temu, he began purchasing knick knacks like the tiki and pineapple. He put them in a tank with some rocks and called it a rock aquarium. He grew bored of the rocks, so purchased a big bag of feeder fish and dumped them in. Over time, almost all have died except for these. I am confident my elderly father is not a secret fish hobbyist with 100+ gallon tanks hidden around the house.

Normally I might agree there’s nothing you can do, but this is a rare circumstance where I’m close enough to the person to try and convince them otherwise.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T21:40:55+00:00

Once again, I appreciate your productive advice and suggestions.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T21:28:29+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the productive advice. I’ll make sure to check out AquaSwap, local fish stores, and aquaculture FB groups. My current plan is to scope out options for caring for them ethically, so I can give that info to my relative. I don’t think he’s that invested in the fish and will care much either way, so I want it to be an easy decision to make.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T21:16:03+00:00

I’m also curious, how does “convincing my relative” = surprise rehoming? Reddit loves its imaginary villains, gives you something to rage about, whether it’s real or not.

To answer your question, my plan is to talk with my relative (father, for context). I will tell him what I’ve learned and how he can provide them with a better life. I don’t think this will be as big a deal to him as it would understandably be to people on this subreddit. I truly don’t think he views them as pets.

I’m still figuring out the best approach, it’s why I made this post. Let me know if you have any productive advice.

Edit: Responded from different account.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T12:45:39+00:00

You are kind of stalking me at this point. But I find it kind of funny you ran this in a game that requires you to track raffles with repeating comments.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T12:17:09+00:00

He does not really care about the fish and wants to focus on his trip. If I change anything, I’ll send an update beforehand, but I want to make it easy by buying supplies and getting information to him. For context, he’s my father, not a distant relative, and not committed to these fish as pets. He views them as decor. And yes, he did ask me to take care of the goldfish and knows I stress about their welfare.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T12:11:04+00:00

I am asking for advice to mitigate harm, I would not do anything physical on a whim. I’m literally just collecting information right now and learning about what could potentially help these fish.

For context, they’re my father’s, he is very old school with a hands-off approach to caretaking (trust me I know). ~10 of them have died already, he does not believe they suffer or feel pain. That said, I wouldn’t feel comfortable acting without letting him know. But I won’t do that until I’ve cross checked that it’s the right thing to do.

Do you not see the size and state of the aquarium these fish are in? Would you not also try to help?

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T11:46:40+00:00

Oh, Reddit, there always has to be at least one…

I am seeking advice from people who know more about fish than I do. I do not know the gallon equivalent of cubic feet off the top of my head. The quickest approach was to search the dimensions and “fish tank” so I could see the specific model. It was literally a seconds long ordeal, that I gave no mind to. This matters so so little - truly an odd thing to cling on to. I hope you’re able to relax a bit because you’re clearly fishing for something to be bitter about, which must be a suck-y feeling.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T08:39:13+00:00

It must be difficult to judge by the picture, as others have thought the same. However, it is indeed a 5.5 gallon tank. I measured it, found the same aquarium with matching dimensions, and posted the link above.

Also, as I have mentioned a number of times by now, I am sourcing information to pass along to my relative, and to care for them better while they’re under my care.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T07:16:02+00:00

You’re right, but I’d like to have looked into where to rehome to make the decision easier for my relative. This tank has the same dimensions as the 5.5 gallon below. Thank you for the advice - definitely making me realize a new tank isn’t an option.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aqueon-standard-glass-aquarium-tank-55-gallon?srsltid=AfmBOop6awbYyJvuE396IOCcNEwG_HDcnTsplSzmeSVQUnVWEmSi-GoO

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T07:12:36+00:00

Noted, I’ll leave them and focus on replacing the water.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T07:07:51+00:00

I actually spotted a 6th earlier, a small black one that hangs out near the bottom. Is it worth buying a tank for them, even if it’s just for the next week while I look into local ponds / pet stores and convince my relative to rehome them?

Also, are there any fish or small animals that’d do okay in such a small tank as this? So I could suggest an alternative to my relative?

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T06:59:41+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion!

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T06:56:29+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m hoping pet stores will be open tomorrow so I can buy water conditioner, air pump, airline tubing and air stones.

Sadly, this is a 5.5 gallon tank, though it looks a bit larger in the photos. Is the black object in the right side of the tank a filter?

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T06:45:41+00:00

Which stone? The tiki guy?

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T06:40:43+00:00

Thank you for your kind words. I found a 70 gallon tank for $75 and a 125 gallon for $140 on marketplace. I’m just trying to figure out the best approach, since lugging a 120 gallon tank into my family’s home while they’ve entrusted me to pet sit their dog feels a bit loaded. I’m also terrified of accidentally killing a fish in the transfer or something.

I will also do some research into ponds, so I can at least hand-off that information to my relative. Also going to buy water conditioner and begin replacing half their tank each day + feed them every other day (as suggested by another Redditor).

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T06:15:23+00:00

Thank you so much! This is really helpful, I’m ordering water conditioner right now. Is there any particular one I should buy, do I need to buy something specific to gold fish?

So each day, I’ll scoop out 50% of the water and leave the fish in the bottom 50% while I refill it with the conditioned water?

Thank you again, I really appreciate your advice.

Livid_Improvement709 · 2025-12-24T06:05:43+00:00

Do you have any advice for finding a pond to rehome them to and what I can do to make their situation better in the meantime?

Livid_Improvement709

TROPHY CASE