You must realize that I’m a really lazy aquarist. I always want more fish than there is tank space available. If discipline were practiced, one would never buy a fish on impulse at an auction or fish store, but sometimes the desire to have a particular specimen overcomes good judgement. Every once in a while a particularly nice betta will catch my eye. This is how I acquired an especially beautiful dark red male. The problem was that there was no appropriate tank for him. I don’t like to keep them in small bowls or jars but this time there was no choice, at least temporarily. Concerned for his health, I did a partial water change each day by pouring about one half down the drain and refilling from the tap after adding a drop of sodium thiosulphate to neutralize the chlorine. This routine seemed to be working okay. Bart, as he was called, seemed to be fit, although somewhat lonely and bored in his little glass cell. The only time he perked up was when live brine shrimp or Daphnia were on the menu.
I was having one of those days where I was running way behind schedule and trying to get things done in a hurry. Bart couldn’t be neglected so I grabbed his cup and dashed into the bathroom. Just before the water began to spill into the sink I had a premonition. What if he followed the flow of water into the drain? Too late! Before my body could react to my thoughts, I saw him disappear into the black hole. Thoughts flashed, find the wrench or open the trap? Try to remove him from the top? Feeling like a total moron, I grabbed a piece of rigid tubing and tried to use it as a dip tube. No luck. With some trepidation I decided to suck on the tube. Big mistake! Up came a brown hairy glob which I spat out instantly, fighting back the urge to toss my cookies. Cautiously I went for a second attempt and got a greasy grey plug of goo but at least it didn’t get into my mouth. Third time is a charm. To my delight there he was without a mark, but unhappy about being imprisoned in the tube.
Sighing relief as he was released back into his cup, I resolved to always close the drain when doing anything with fish. Bart came through the ordeal without even so much as a scale lost. I figured that he deserved better treatment so he was given a two gallon hex tank where he could cavort around without fear of another drain dive.