Rest In Peace
After 4.5 years, one of my pair of female Tiger Barbs died. She had been suffering from popeye for quite a while, and I guess it was time. On Monday night she started swimming upside down and I knew it was pretty much over. I had finally gotten my 10 gallon quarantine tank setup for my last two 4.5 year old Tiger Barbs, so I didn't have to medicate the main tank, but it was too little too late. Most people express surprise when I tell them that my fish are 4.5 years old, since most people don't seem to think that tropical fish should last that long, but my two plecos are still doing great, as are my three remainin Harlequin Rasboras. In many ways it was for the best, since her life was probably somewhat difficult. I'm pretty sure she had become blind from her on again and off again battles with the illness. Watching her eat, she would swim just under the surface of the water and snap at the water in a straight line, "seeking" for food. It was quite sad. If you've ever had fish, you know that they don't normally eat like this. They typically swim up to the surface, and snap at a single flake before diving back down.
This experience has made me think a lot about my parents, their thoughts on the matter, and the bigger picture.
I have often been described as pragmatic, analytical, and/or cold-hearted with my approach to problem solving, the plight of the unfortunate, and life in general. One of the exceptions is my approach to fishkeeping. I have a relatively small freshwater fishtank that I've had for about 4.5 years now. While most of my livestock has survived that entire span, I have had a few casualties. In most instances, they succumbed to the Grim Reaper after 1 or 2 rounds of anti-biotics, quarantine, treatment, etc. Sometimes, they pull out of it. Sometimes they don't.
What does this have to do with my parents? My parents are also extremely pragmatic and analytical. Their suggestion, whenever I mention that one of my fish might be sick, is to simply throw it away. Dollars and cents, right? My tiger barbs ranged in price from $0.99 to $2.99. Medicine probably costs about $2-5 per treatment. For some ailments, like popeye, once they've got it, they're pretty much done for. For most aspects of my life, this is what I do. However, I can't do it for my fish. I beg to differ when anyone says fish are not pets. They have personalities, mannerisms, differentiating behavior patterns, and the whole lot.
When the time comes, what will happen if my parents get sick in their old age? My grandmother is currently suffering from severe Alzheimer's. When the time comes, what will I do?
