Moral Dillema, Fish too big!

[dhs9831]

Okay, I am going to sound like a big baby, but Im really quite sad and bothered and need help. When I first started with aquariums, my first fish was just a plain old goldfish. He was a baby when I got him, that was a little over 2 years ago. As he grew I kept getting bigger and bigger aquariums for him because I got quite attached to the little guy and wanted him to be happy. BUT I have spent so much on him, and dont know that I can spend more. He is now close to a foot long, and in a 30 gallon aquarium. I really dont want to part with him, but for his sake, I think its the right thing to do. I feel as if I am abusing him keeping him in there. Aside from that hes becoming really agressive with his tank mates (at that size aquarium he probably shouldnt have any I know) He was never much of a digger until recently, and hes tearing the hell out of the tank. Now my problem is, I need to get rid of him so he can have a better home, but how? I know its not a good idea to release him into the wild, but there is a place called mirror lake here in Columbus at Ohio State that is full of Goldfish like him.. still probably not a good idea, scratch that.... so I have had some tell me, take him to the LFS and they will take him. Thats an option, but I usually buy my fish online because theirs look sickly, and I hate to put him in a store to be sold where I wouldnt shop myself. Hell probably get sick. Then the other option I have heard is to Euthanize him, by putting him in a container with water and placing it in the freezer. It is supposedly "humane" method, but I dont know if I can do that. Does anyone have advice? This is making me emotionally unstable, I am about to go get prozac!

 

[ferret]

Do you have a yard or a large deck of any sort? You could go to a Home Depot or some place with lawn supplies and such and buy a big 60-70+ gallon plastic tub. He should be able to live happily in that and I don't think those tubs are too expensive.

My mother in law does this. On her tiny apartment deck she has like a 70 gallon tub. She's got two koi/comets and 3 fancy goldfish (One I gave her, I rescued it from a 5 gallon tank, two years old and under 3 inches ). It also contains a one foot common pleco that I gave her, because I had to rescue him from the Tropheus that shared his tank. He's healthy and cleaned all the algae out of that tub now

Except for the one I gave her, all her "Happy boys" are oscar survivors. They managed to escape my father-in-laws two oscars long enough that they were removed and put in the tub.

 

[docrak]

Have you thought of going to a local fish club? There is a good one in your area:

http://columbusfishclub.org/

There might be a member with a pond that would be willing to take him off your hands.

 

[dhs9831]

Wow I didnt know a fish club existed! Ill definately check that out. Thanks.

Ferret,

I have no yard or deck, Im in an apartment, although I have several of those tubs... you just gave me an idea though, thanks.

 

[Menagerie]

Fish clubs are great and someone may have a pond that is perfect for your goldie friend.

 

[krap101]

you could get a 50 gallon tub frmo like lowes or sumtin. their like 17$

 

[dhs9831]

Ya I have the tubs already.. but space is the concern. I have contacted the local fish club thats to all of your advice and I think I have a prospect. Thank you for your advice!

 

[shawmutt]

If you haven't found a taker yet, Aquabid.com is a good place to try too. Or, you could do what I finally did to get rid of a few fish--I called every pet store within a 20 mile radius until I found one to take my fish.

 

[dhs9831]

Ya Ill check that out too! Seems no one wants goldfish, my prospect went down the toilet....