One might think, can you rescue a fish? And the answer is, yes. From poor care by either people or the corporations that sell them. Now, it’s not actually something I had even thought about until IG showed me videos of a couple of ladies and their quests to revive sick fish/eels.
It also happens that stores tend to take very poor care of one of my very favorite fish. Bettas.
I’ve had many bettas in my life. I bought and kept countless ones when I was younger. My last one was in 2011. I was an adult at that point and took better care of things, so he lived for a few years if I remember correctly.
Not long after this realization, I found myself at a grocery store that just so happens to sell fish and what do you know? They were taking poor care of their bettas. Not all were sick but there were a few, unhealthy fellows. Convincing the cashier to give him to me for free took no effort. She promptly said, “YUCK!” and gave him to me. So that’s how I ended up with this guy:
As you can see, his color is bleached from all of his fins and head. Luckily, I don’t think he has fin rot but he was on his way. I don’t have fish, so I had to go out and buy all this stuff to essentially use as a hospital tank to nurse him back to health.
This has led me down the rabbit hole that is proper betta care. Little me would have had her mind blown at what crappy lives she was giving her bettas. (Although still better than in the stores.) It will probably take him about a month or so to heal. So, now the plan is to get a 5-gallon tank and try my hand at live plants, something I’ve never done. Should this little guy live, he’ll have a cool new home and a much more entertaining life. No name until he makes it. (Plus, I’m kind of married to naming him Booberry but I have a feeling he’s going to have a lot of teal and green once he’s healed. Not a color match to Booberry cereal.)
Long story short, welcome to my new obsession. Bettas and aquariums, as now I’m half tempted to just continue to rescuing bettas. Hard part would be finding them all homes though.
What’s your favorite fish??
cupcakesandmachetes 
Does fried and battered haddock count as a favorite fish? š
It sure does! š
We had every kind of tank and fish available when my daughter was young, then I had Betas with my grandkids, but no fish now and no cleaning or tending required. I wish I could have the $$$ back I spent on that salt water tank and its inhabitants. š
My husband would love to go the saltwater route, but I think it’s a money sink just like you said. For this guy, I figure less than $100 and he’ll be good to go. Plus, they make smart tanks now that drain themselves and you can bet that’s what I’m going to buy. Lol.
I cannot lie, I read that name as “boob-ery” and was pleased with your choice. I get it now, though: boo-berry! š¤£
Last time I had a Betta, it jumped out of its own bowl and dried up, effectively dying by suicide, I think. Or over-ambition. Or seeing a hot human prince, I dunno.
I had a betta die that way too. They’re known for it especially in little tanks. The one I’m going to get has a lid and drains itself. Fish tanks have come a long way. Lol.
If I end up naming him Booberry, Boobery will be his nickname. š
Yes! *WIN*