R.I.P. Goldilox

Well, Goldilox II died today. She was a good fish. And Jessica took Goldi's death better than I thought she would. So did Jake.

I unplugged the filter as though I were unplugging life support. I then scooped her out with a soup ladel and placed her in a measuring cup. Jess and Jake both peered in:

Jake: "EWWWW!!"

Jessica: "Can I see it? Is Goldi's eyeball coming out?"

Me: "We're going to flush her down the toilet and send her to her old friends."

Jake: "I want to flush her!!"

I thought I'd need to explain about the cycle of life and death to teary eyed children, but no need. They declared how cool it was to see Goldi swirl around the toilet as she was sent to her watery grave.

I had just changed the water in the bowl today, too. She was looking a little wonky...floating and swimming sort of lopsided. And then she settled at the top, her gills and mouth opening and closing. I figured maybe she was in a bit of shock from me not taking enough care to match the water temp to what she was in previously.

I shook the bowl a little, she perked up and swam to the bottom, crashing into the gravel below.

That was not a good sign.

She finally settled into the deadman's float that fish do.