Mikoten

Hey FL, I got a little problem...My stepsister is a real pain and she likes to go in my tank, take a danio or two out, let them suffocate, then get rid of them somewhere. I dont know why, I'm never really mean to her, I barley even talk to her. But as a 12 year old, when she is confronted she denies it and starts crying. Her brother has ratted her out a few times before so I know its her.

What should I do to keep my tank shut so she wont be able to get in it? Please help!

Chrisson

Omg!!!!!!! Put Alarms, Locks, Anything!

Mikoten

I know! I wish I could! I'm not sure how to put a lock on there though! There has to be something out there that goes on the hood to keep it closed...

Amanda

Yeah....therapy comes to mind as I read that post.

Lucy

The use of curse words is not allowed on the forum. Here's a link to the rules:
FishLore Forum Rules

It would be a good idea to have a serious talk with you parents. If in fact your step-sister is doing this, it's very sadistic and cruel to purposely allow a living thing to die.
IMO, she needs help as this behavior is cause for serious concern.

Mikoten

Sorry bout language, just a little steamed is all...

but yeah i know its messed up. I have talked with my dad, he doesnt really care since she is young and he LOVES her and doesnt really listen to me. I honestly could care less about her, I never liked her and I dont think I ever will, I'm just worried for my fish! They're my babies!!!

Lucy

She's not that young to not be able to understand what she's doing is cruel. (assuming she is in fact doing this to your fish)
The fact that your dad doesn't care that your step sister is so callous to a living creature this is also a worry.
Can you talk to your mom?

Mikoten

She is very immature and not too smart, i'm not so sure she understands what shes doing. There are other pets in the house that she is always nice too but i figure that she is thinking that they are just fish, whatever. And no, my mom doesnt live with me...my step mom knows also but she is the same as my dad. I will try to talk to my dad again maybe he will listen this time.

Lucy

I hope so.
You already know it's not right and I hate to suggest this, but if her behavior doesn't stop and the adults won't intervene, perhaps you should consider not keeping fish.
I'm sorry, but we have to do what's best for the lives entrusted to us.

Mikoten

I really dont want to give up fish...I know I can find a way to lock up that tank, i'll do whatever it takes.

Lucy

Good luck
Maybe do a search for children's safety items? There must be something out there that helps parents keep the young ones from getting in the aquarium.

eaglescout316

Height probably. The main problem here is that there's no such thing as a child safety item for a 12-year old.

Honestly, and with all kidding aside, this is entry-level sociopath behavior. What you're telling us is a very serious thing, particularly since she's old enough to know exactly what she is doing, barring developmental problems. She's on the fast track to hurting herself or others. The people at Fish Lore cannot solve your problem, and if you can't get your parents/her parents to do something about it, you need to tell someone else. Be it a guidance counselor or what, i don't know, but this isn't "she won't stop playing with my toys" kind of stuff.

ABCDemily

Right. Aside from the obviously worrying behaviour displayed by your step sister, here, IMO, is what you should do.

Get some cheap acrylic plastic (plexiglass etc) and cut it into two larger square pieces. Then drill through it so you can attatch a padlock.

Then using a hot glue gun, attach one of the pieces to the top of the hood, where you lift it (on the side) and then the second piece should be attached , adjacent to the other piece, but on the main tank body. Then you can thread through a number lock or a padlock.

Good luck, and you should really tell your parents.

eaglescout316

If i have the right mental picture for this, this will have to be done on both sides of the hood, or else the whole thing can be used as a hinge and she can just get in by lifting the side.

kimb

I agree that this behaviour is unacceptable to us as "fish keepers" however, diagnosing a child is not something we should be doing in any capacity. (I am in this field of work). Giving the OP words to throw around like above is inappropriate. For the OP...try putting a lock on your door?

ABCDemily

Using my 'magnificent' paint skills, i'll draw a little diagram for you

If you do it a lot closer together, it'll work better, ignore how long the lock this is, it just illustrates it lol. If you do it on both sides and have a different lock for each then it should work. Good luck

Attached Images

fishy lock.jpg (18.0 KB, 74 views)

saqib

tough situation!
can you by any chance put the tank in your bedroom or someplace she is not allowed to go!

you can always put a paddle lock on the shed and hide away the key...

joy1125

hi Mike,

I'm sorry you're having a problem with your stepsister. I know how difficult it can be sometimes, with blended families. But I don't think this problem can be resolved by trying to lock her out of the fish tank. She's 12years old, and if she wants to get in there, she'll find a way.

I think maybe you need to take a different approach on this, and get down to the root of the problem, which really has nothing to do with the fish tank.

I noticed you said you didn't really like her, and you "barely ever talk to her" . Maybe she knows this, and by harming your fish, this is her way of getting your attention ?
Not that I'm blaming you Mike, so please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. All I mean is, that sometimes people, especially when they are young, "act out" in order to get attention. And this may be what your sister is doing, to get yours.

So perhaps you can try to be nice to her, try to get to know her, make an effort to talk to her, and get along with her. She is your stepsister, and you are family now. My advice would be to give her the attention she wants, and try to form a brotherly relationship with her.

Maybe you could even try to get her involved in your fish hobby? Take her along to the fish store with you to help choose a fish, allow her to name some of the fish , things like that.

Who knows Mike, you may end up actually liking each other, wouldn't that be great?

I wish you all the best.

TedsTank

Mike, I agree with Joy...I saw that you have 2 tanks. Perhaps you could let her and teach her to care for the ten gallon tank with your assistance. You be the big brother here and give it your best!!

Jark

I think Joy's idea is a good one. Giving her an invested interest in the tank may help. Warm up to her a bit and no make direct accusation about the danios. Mention you are getting more fish and ask her is she would like to pick one out for the tank.

I have never had problems to the extreme that you are. My girlfriend did started to resent my fish though. When I first got them and had to spend allot of time maintaining and testing levels. I let her pick out a few cory cats that she got to name. Now we argue over who gets to feed the corys. I also convinced her that her cat (which she loves more than anything) liked the aquarium and that it keeps the cat company during the day.

Chrisson

when she chooses a fish she probably is going to care for it alot and realize that if someone killed her fish she will be sad and understand that killing peoples fish is horrible.

gmen4life

wow i would bug out lol but i would make some type of lock and you will be fine

Mikoten

Huh...? wasn't this thread locked last time I checked?
Well anyways...Bonding is out of the question. I know it sounds stupid but if you met her you would understand, she is a very mean, selfish kid. I have know her for three years and have tried being nice to her, but it is not easy.

FearTheFishies

Honestly i would talk to your parents and get her pysciatric (sp?) help serously... that is really scarry...