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Aquariums: Leaving my fish behind because of war


Hey guys, my country is being bombed, so we're evacuating to another safer city and then maybe trying to leave the country. We are leaving soon and unfortunately I will have to leave my tank behind. It has snails and a beautiful betta fish. Any advice on how to maximize his survival? I think I will have to switch of the electricity (to avoid electric fires etc), also since we are in the Middle East it is very hot; another time i left my tank behind it unfortunately overheated and my shrimp died. I can't really do anything about it unfortunately. No I can't leave the fish with anyone, it's not safe and nice fish stores that take care of fish are rare here (also we're leaving very soon so no time). I guess I'll just fill the tank, close it, and hope for the best. Pray he survives!!!

Posted by peachgothlover

16 Comments

  1. starrystamina on

    can you not bring him in a water bottle or something? i find it very unlikely he will survive over 2 weeks honestly 😢

  2. hatedorca on

    this sounds absolutely horrible, I’m praying for you and your fish. stay safe OP.

  3. MrMoon5hine on

    My brother take that fish with you, it’s not very humane but bettas can literally survive in a coffee cup

  4. ExplorerKey on

    I think the best thing you can do is do everything you can do for it now, change water, fill it, feed him good and hope for the best unfortunately. I think ppl are a little braindead and need to touch grass if they think bringing the fish is better than just leaving it :/, none the less just do what you can and hope for the best, it’s unfortunate but it’s not your fault if they do pass and at least it would be in their home if that’s any consolation

  5. AttentionNarrow6052 on

    You can literally keep him in a jar just uncover it once in awhile for gas/air exchange. Keeping him without food for unknown time is a definite death. Best of luck

  6. Entremeada on

    Seriously, I think it’s better to kill the fish now in a controlled, humane way than to just let it slowly die.

    All the best for you and your family!!!

  7. Palegreenhorizon on

    Your fish is lovely. You are a good person for thinking of it. I’m half-American and wish you all the best. Find a place to keep living. Maybe give the fish to a friend who is staying? Betta are from Thailand they can survive some heat. Stay safe good luck out there fellow person.

  8. TruCelt on

    He’ll be better off with the lid off, I think, as oxygen is more important than the water level. Give him a really good feed and then change the water 50% so no food is left behind. He’ll be better off without food rotting in the tank.

    I had a similar situation after 9/11 when my fish was stuck in the office. It was terrible. I so feel your pain.

    What you are going through is so hard. I’m sorry. We are fighting the politicians to make it stop. Nobody here is in favor of this. Please tell that to your family. We are sorry. We are trying to stop it.

  10. ctrlaltdelete285 on

    I’m so, so, sorry. I cat imagine what you are going through. I don’t know how to be gentle about this, but Honestly I would pop him in a jar and take him with your or humanly euthanize him with clove oil or in the fridge. There is no guarantee you will be back in X time. An old jam jar and a partial water change a few times a week would suffice.

  11. oreoctopus on

    idk if an automatic feeder is an option for you, but if it is maybe it could keep your fish alive until you are (hopefully!!!) able to come back. Though of course, if you have to turn off the electricity I guess that will be no help, I’m sorry. I’m really heartbroken and furious on your behalf… I also really hope you and your loved ones will remain safe. The utmost good luck to you, genuinely!!

  12. GiraffePretty4488 on

    Bettas have a much better chance of survival than shrimp in overwarm stagnant water. They don’t need the high oxygen of cooler water, as they can breathe from the surface. Tropical slow-moving/stagnant water is their home. 

    If you have any houseplants with aerial roots (like monstera), I’d cut off a node with a root bud (or two) and suspend it in the tank so it can eat up nitrates and ammonia.

    Take care of yourself. Sending luck and best wishes from Canada. 

    Edit: I think it’s worth adding, if you have mosquitoes there, they’ll breed in the stagnant water, and that’s a food source for him. Please have hope for him. It’s not ideal but he may be just fine. 

  15. JimboSaggins3000 on

    Get a bag, fill it with the aqua and air, empty tank and take the damn dude with you.

  16. TwinNirvana on

    I’m so sorry for everything you’re going through. Stay safe, OP!

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