Suicidal fish

Suicidal Fish... that would make a pretty bitchin' punk band name. Yes, I said bitchin'. Not a curse word. Lets move on...

About a year ago Logan came home with a beta fish he and Abby had won at some fair or another. Considering I do all the cooking, cleaning, and educating around here I politely informed him that I wouldn't be taking care of the fish. He had to feed it, clean it and keep it alive. I held to this agreement because I truly did not need one more thing to do.

For the first year or so the fish behaved like any other beta, it floated around looking for a fight or sleeping. I ignored it, it ignored me and I assumed he was being fed because he was still alive. Then he started moping around. I didn't appreciate his woe-is-me attitude because he could see from his tank the kind of chaos I had around me and still had the audacity to imply he had it rough. As far as I could tell he had a pretty good situation! Betas don't typically like other fish (except for dinner) so he had a blissful solitude other fish, and tired mommies, would envy. Still, on he moped.

More recently he's begun to look like he is dying. What makes me a little sad here is that he may very well be sick but he is a fish and we don't have the money to pay for chemo or whatever else may be required to keep this perpetual sad-sack alive. SO I accepted the inevitable and waited. Finally, last night I came home late and sound him floating on his side but he was still alive. I mentally prepared myself for the conversations I would have to have with the kids the following morning as they usually scream "GOOD MORNING FISHY" repeatedly until I give them something to eat. I wasn't sure how they'd handle it but I was prepared nonetheless.

He didn't die.

He has so far spent half the day with his nose in the bottom corners of the tank (his favorite spots) or floating sideways and playing dead. I feel an obligation to do something. Mercy killing? Or is this his/her idea of fun? I'm at a loss but all day I've been thinking "Why won't you die?"

I know, I'm heartless and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get hate mail from PETA.... but c'mon. Worst pet ever and I'm holding out for a guinea pig.