Yes, in the last sentence I was making fun of myself. But really I think the whole issue is silly. I respect everyone else's opinions, and see the validity in many of the statement's being made. But to me, it really just wouldn't ever have been a cause for concern.

And as for *your* last sentence. I really hope you never end up visiting chapter houses in the northwest. When I went to go visit one of my friends who lived in Montana, I cannot tell you how funny I thought it was that they had a big moose head in their chapter house! Not exactly what I was expecting, but to them, it was just the norm.

I think some are just making a bigger deal out of this fish thing then it really is. The fish are only in "smaller" containers for what 5 hours? They have plenty of water and fresh air. . .the fish are fine.

One Sorority put each fish in very large martini glasses during a Mardi graw theme day. It was really cute. I did not hear any complaints. Afterwards the girls either took them home and put them in a larger fish bowl or gave them away to girls in other sororities. No one even imagined flushing them down a toilet. Who would even think of that.

My roommate and I still have the one she got from one of the Sororities who has done this. It's been two years. It is alive and well. I say why not. They look cute. Especially if you get Beta's and your Sorority using Beta in the name . . .Gamma Phi "Beta." I mean each girl could even keep the fish for a couple weeks and pass it down to the new members during lil/big revealing. Wah-la. A grand new tradition and a new loving home for the fish.

Whoa...some people are really up in arms about the whole fish issue....I kinda think along the lines of a few other people that have posted though...its a fish! While it's important that we don't just flush it down the toilet and that someone takes care of it, I really think that it's important to keep in mind that it is a FISH..... that said, I personally don't like the idea of using fish as decorations...I just don't like that style at all!! Why not have some pretty, unique flowers (like orchids or something), or a unique centerpiece without using an animal?! But to each her own I guess!

So was I but catfish and rainbow trout are totally different from little swimmers.

Fish are used as decorations ALL THE TIME! What do you think an aquarium is? It's there to liven the environs...I mean, how many restaurants have you gone to and seen aquariums filled with fish? It's almost a "requirement" at Asian restaurants...There's a restaurant here called Reef that has almost a whole WALL filled with fish....I doubt they are there because the owners want a pet :rolleyes: It's for decoration!

I think the whole question/uproar is over the possible lack of aftercare "arrangements" for the fish...I am willing to bet that this has been discussed ad nauseum amongst the ladies of this particular GLO, the same as in here, and they will be well cared for...

I personally take more offense to a "pick your own lobster" joint...THAT'S pure cruelty!

It's also the care durring the events. A large fish tank on a wall is not problematic at all because that's can easily be maintained as a healthy enviroment (some work and a good setup is needed, but it's still fairly easy once everything is up). A little bowl on a table is not going to be -- that's why a lot of fish end up dead at these events.

All this fish talk has inpired me! I bought a betta yesterday. I did a ton of research first (thanks for the link texas*princess), and I got a really pretty red male. I love my little guy. I named him "Apple."

And no Betta Vase for my baby!

Erica

Ok at the risk of sounding like a total moron....can I ask how do I know whether my fish is male or female? I bought a Betta earlier this summer and I have just assumed its a boy fish, but I dunno??? :confused:

FAB*SpiceySpice, chances are with Bettas that if you don't know, it's a male. The males are more colorful and have longer finnage than the females. They're usually what's sold in pet stores. Females can go in the same tank, but males have to be separate.

Erica, congrats on your new friend! I love my Bettas. They've got personality! I have a blue one named Turtle and a red one named Rabbit (in separate bowls, of course).

A couple of years ago I went to Ruth Chris Steakhouse in Atlanta and ordered steak and lobster. Now I know that lobsters are live when they are cooked but I'll never forget the waiter walking by our table with the live lobster waving its claws at me as he (it) was on his way to the death chamber-- the kitchen!! My husband said "It's a good thing you didn't order rabbit!" (He was just teasing, of course.)

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Congrats on your new betta erica812 :) I'm glad people are finding the link helpful !

FAB*SpiceySpice, like KKC said, chances are it's a male, because they are what is mostly sold at pet stores. Some pet stores also sell females, and they sometimes have a smaller body than the males and a very very short tail.

Hehehe, So was I and I agree w/ WC's statement ;)

WillowAnneLyra also posted some great tips to help keep them in a healthy environment if the chapter just can't do without fish for some reason.

It's not just the issue of what will happen to the fish after the party is over, but also what happens to them during the parties.

Even though bettas & goldfish seem easy to care for, a lot of people don't know they are usually very sensitive to temps that are too low or high, chlorine and ammonia in the water, and the toxic levels that the water can reach if the bowl is too small and they are just swimming around with their waste in there. Waste & plant roots (if people are interested in the betta vase) are very toxic to the fish, and the smaller the container they are in, the worse of they will be.

And www.bettasrus.com is also a great resource if anyone is interested.

I've gone betta crazy:)

Erica

I think that, just from a rush perspective, it's risky because you run the chance of having animal-loving rushees who might drop you because they think it's cruel (which it is, even if it's just a fish). Plus there's the chance that a fish or two might die during the parties, and if you don't catch it before the rushees notice, you would quickly become known as "the house with all the dead fish on the tables." Fish don't react well to stress, and being around as many people as a rush party has leads to lots of fishie stress.

This is the first time I've heard of such a thing. I for one would consider it cruel and would have dropped a chapter for it. I don't think that makes me shallow. I think that saying "it's just a fish" is horrible. Is it "just a dog/cat" to you also?