We are on day 6 and counting of the ice storm Fern devastation and power outage. All of my fish froze to death including my beloved Oscar who made it until today. I still haven’t been able to clean the tanks out due to the house temps a the aquariums half frozen. I know people think they are just fish but the hundreds of fish I had were all nurtured and taken care of daily and they became part of my everyday life for the last few years. I don’t know if I want to get more or just do away with this hobby due to how much I lost an to be starting back from zero. Was wanting to hear some advice on what I should do. Picture of my Oscar when I first got him.
Posted by TemporaryCareless749
21 Comments
i’m so sorry for your loss. Truly. Must be very devastating.
im so sorry for your losses 🙁 do whatever it is you feel is right, and i hope you know it is okay to take a minute to grieve and process. the hobby will always be there if you decide to return
That’s exactly how I lost my 2 oscars. Still hurts years later. Sorry bebe Oscar 💔
Sorry to hear that! I fully understand you! Especially Oscars are fish with personality!
How do you manage to survive there? Where do you live?
You need an emergency plan if you stay there and keep Fish. Or you go over to Coldwater fish
sorry fro your loss but if you have any other tanks with fish that are still alive but a thick blanket/towel on top so heat doesnt escape as quickly
Absolutely sorry for your loss. People may feel that they are ‘just fish’ but they have personalities, and are great companions.
I have also lost my entire fishtank due to disease and had a goldfish approaching on 10 years, so I know the feeling. He was my buddy through bushfires and lockdowns.
I have not yet replaced any fish and it is an empty tank 2 months later.
But I feel ready to get back into rebuilding. I just needed the time to grieve and be angry at the whole thing. And I absolutely thought about giving up.
But I feel that I have had a massive and unpleasant learning experience which will make me a better fish owner moving forward.
My advice (unsolicited) is to take a month or two off. And then decide at the end if that period of where you want to go with the hobby.
The window of time really helped me out in my decision.
I hope you take some time for yourself.
I’m very sorry to hear that my friend. Don’t listen to those that tell you they’re just fish at all. Anyone that says that cannot recognize the beauty and intelligence in these creatures. Especially oscars. You did your best and that is what matters.
I definitely understand the feeling. I very similarly lost my Oscar that I had had since I was a very small child. 17 years. Absolutely devastated me. I took a little over a year off from any new aquariums and it certainly helped.
Definitely don’t be like me and let the tank get nasty at all. It’ll just be more work later. When you’re ready again you’ll know, but a break, long or short, can definitely help. Hope you feel better soon friend ❤️
I’m sorry for your loss. I realize many people may not understand what they meant to you, so I hope you can find some solace in the community here
I’m so sorry this happened to you. It was something I was extremely worried about, and I only got lucky that my area was spared. The fact that you lost so many fish is really upsetting.
I’d highly recommend a UPS. I have one for my various networking equipment, but whenever there’s a slight risk for power loss I move it to my fiances fish tank. It’s saved our fish a couple times. I know it’s too late, but for next time! Sorry for your loss!
😥💔
This is so sad. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I lost 13 fish in Nashville this week to the cold. It sucks. I tired pouring water I heated up from the gas fire in there every couple of hours but eventually we had to leave to go stay somewhere else and the fish were left in the cl cold. Lucky for me the power came back on after 48 hours and miraculously 5 fish survived. 2 mollies and e swordfish. But I lost 6 tetras, 6 guppies, and one molly.
Styrofoam boards are the most cost-effective insulation in these situations – you’ll need to also place some on the bottom. I know it’s in hindsight, but if someone else is still struggling to keep their fish alive this might save their pets.
Empty the tanks that have fully died off – ice expands and can affect the structural integrity of the tank.
They are not just fish, they are our pets. They are members of the family. I’m so sorry for your loss OP 🙁
If you can afford it, buy a gas or diesel generator for future outages
Is there such a think as a battery run aquarium heater?
Oh man. I’m so sorry. Give yourself some time. Clean things up and pack them away if you need to. The hobby will be waiting if you decide to return.
I’m so sorry. We do love our little critters. And we feel responsible for them, so it’s devastating when we can’t save them. I hope you are taking care of yourself. Wishing you warmth and good food soonest. <3
Why don’t you own a genset?
I’m so sorry for your loss 😢😢