I bought six goldfish for my youngest daughter a year ago.  In a week, they were all dead.  So I bought a big tank -– a 10-galloner -– multi-colored pebbles, and a filtration system with the next six fish.  Those were all “gone to heaven” in two weeks.   So I bought “hardier” goldfish, special food, a new filtration system, a light, fish toys, water conditioner, and new pebbles.  Six floaters within days. I changed the water religiously, but not too often.  That didn’t do it.  Six little guppies KIA. So I brought the water into a lab for testing. It was fine.  But still, the next six fish went belly up, too.  And the six after that and after that.  And the six after that.

I finally gave up. I felt like a monster.  I might as well have been stepping on the things outside the store.

Then today, I read the remarkable story about two goldfish living for 134 days after the New Zealand earthquake with no food, no filtration, no light – no nuttin’

One word: @#!%$@!!!!

P.S.: After emptying, cleaning, and drying the 10-gallon tank, my daughter and I bought two adorable white mice (and a wheel, toys, treats, bedding, a house, a wire mesh cover, and some other stuff.) One week later I let them “sleep outside” to get some fresh air. A fox ate ‘em.  Count me out.