Dasher is in a tank now

Question
QUESTION: Hi Lynda. No worries, Dasher is in the tank now. The water is alkaline. My friend will be watching over me. I really thought that if I believed enough she would come out of hospital and come home again and come back to me. I honestly thought she would come back to me. I don't know alot about all different fish in the pet store but they said I will learn on the job as I go along. I hope I won't go in every dau to find we have lost a few fish. Have a nice weekend and I am glad the goldfish is ok.
Danielle.

ANSWER: Hi Danielle,
I'm so sorry for your loss, and it is very hard to accept.  Losing a loved one is the worse thing that can happen to us.  She is happy now, in heaven, no more pain, and she will look after you, and always be with you, because you will carry her in your heart.  She will always be there with you.  Cherish the good memories, those are the ones that help us get through this period of mourning.
I'm sure you will love working in the Pet Store, and learn lots about fish.  Don't be shy to ask if you're not sure about something.  The best thing you could do now is look up "Tropical Fish Families"  on the net, you will learn lots just by reading what it says.  Start with the  Cichlid family.  They are ususally the ones that sell the most.  There are two families of Cichlids, the South American Cichlids, and the African Cichlids.  They differ from each other, and cannot be mixed.  The African Cichlid is very very aggressive, and territorial, lives in caves, and alkaline water.  You will see, it is easy once you know the different families, and there behaviour.  I'm not worried, you will be a great asset to their team.
Take care, and stay safe.
Lynda

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QUESTION: Hi Lynda. Thank you for your kind words. I feel like I've got nobody. I feel like I'm all alone. I don't know what to do. I will look up tropical fish families on the internet. Thank you for the advice. I know she is watching over me. I hope your ok. I just feel like I have nobody to talk to. I feel like everybody has stopped talking to me andnobody listens to me or understands me anymore. That's how bad I feel.
Danielle..

ANSWER: Hi Danielle,
You are not alone, and this feeling will pass.  I know you find it hard to believe me, but it will pass.  She was your best friend, and now she is no longer here in body, but she is here with you in your spirit.   When we lose a loved one, we all go through a mourning period, and think we will never get over it, but we do.  Life will go on for you, and you will make other friends.  Believe me you will.  Working at the Pet Store will be a Godsend for you.  You will meet people, talk to people, and see new faces, make new friends.  People who come into the fish department, are always nice people, and you know from the start that you have something in common.  The days will pass quickly, and slowly, but surely, your pain will ease.  You will always love her, but your pain, and hurt will subside, and the good memories will come through, and soon you will be able to face this loss, and be happy again.  I know it's hard for you to understand this now, and you say "NO," but "YES" you will go on, and laughter will come back to your heart again.  I'm sure she does not want to see you like this.   
My thoughts, and prayers are with you.
Lynda

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QUESTION: Hi Lynda. You mean you have felt like this too? I believe you. I went into the very pet store and they said I can start at weekends if I want to. I know I'm not alone. I hope thefeeling will pass soon. I have got a right chesty cough at the minute. I think it might just be a bad astmah day. The female Betta died but my friend had her for just over 7 years. The male Betta she has only had for about two years.. He's not a happy fish today. all he has done is oven his collar and spread his gills at me. I wnt to feed him this morning and he did it. Have yu heard about the Snake head fish? People call it fishzilla. It has teeth like a shark and bites anything in it's path and wait for it. It can walk on land. You read right, a fish that can walk on land. It's a big fish. I think I have seen eberything now I have seen a fish walk on land. It can live out of water for three days. How many fish do you know that can walk on land and live out of water? Not many.
Danielle.

Answer
Hi Danielle,
It is amazing, isn't it that some fish can live out of water?   The little tropical killifish, "Mangrove Rivulus" can survive for months out of water.  They breathe through their skin, and not through the gills when out of water.  It is fascinating!
I have seen snakeheads, we kept one in the pet store in a 500 gallon.  They are predators.  We have some here in our lakes, they live in cold water too, and they will kill any fish that comes near them whether they are hungry or not.  I really don't like them, and I was happy when they finally decided to bring him up to the zoo. They grow quite big, and look scary!!  They can grow up to 3 feet!  They say to kill them if you ever come across one while fishing...they do lots of harm in lakes.
There is also the "Clarias Catfish"..he too can survive out of water, as long as he stays moist.  He walks on ground from pond to pond.  He is also a predator.  When keeping one in an aquarium, he must be kept alone.  He is often called the walking catfish.
See, you are learning new things, and that is great!  The little female's time was up.  She lived her life, Bettas, never live more that 2-3 years, but if you can find him young, and treat them well, they can live up to 8 years.  She was a lucky little fish, and well cared for.
Have a nice day
Lynda