[cb]Disclaimer
[c]I’d like to take this space to explain a few things. Rehoming fish does not mean you didn’t take good care of your fish. Rehoming a fish is a very honorable act, as it means that you care more about the safety of your fish rather than your own personal enjoyment of having them. The goal of this hobby is to get the perfect balance of being happy about keeping healthy fish, and those who strive to achieve that are the best keepers around. Secondly, someone recommending you to rehome your fish is not a harsh act, and simply means the person telling this to you cares about the well being of your fish. The only time this is not acceptable is when people tell you to rehome your fish in an aggressive or unfriendly way, as everyone in this amino should strive to coexist as best as possible.

[cb]Why should you rehome your fish
[c]Rehoming can be beneficial to your fish if they aren’t quite suited to the environment that you are able to provide. A fish that is in a tank that stops that fish from reaching its full size is an environment that can negatively impact that fish. Even if a fish isn’t fully grown yet, it is usually unsafe to hold that fish in a tank that they will outgrow because the only way to tell when they become negatively impacted is when they already have been stunted. For a fish that needs a bigger tank that will be provided when they get larger, is suitable, but should be avoided when possible.

[cb]Proper ways places to rehome fish
[c]The best option is always to get a bigger tank, which is relatively obvious. Getting a tank that a fish can fit into usually alleviates the problem and will always resolve the issue. If this is not possible, however, there are some ways to get your fish to a safe location. The first people to check are your close friends and family. If someone you know and trust can properly house your fish, and you can still visit them, everything works out. The second best option is really looking on sites like Craigslist. It’s important that if you’re young, you should have parental supervision when working on these sites, as it can be slightly risky. If you can find someone that you believe can properly take care of your fish, and is safe, they’ll make a great home for your fish.  The third option is a trusted local store owner. If your local store is bad, then I wouldn’t recommend using them, but if you believe they can find the fish a good home, they will also be a great option. Chain stores are local stores, and even if they have good management, they’re not allowed to change the way they keep their fish. The fourth option is using a chain store, but isn’t as easily recommended. There’s a chance they will find the fish a good home, but there is no confirmation from them that they will. If you can’t properly house your fish, and none of the options above work, this should be your last resort.

[cb]How to transport fish
[c]The best way to do this is to save the bag that they came in. To tie the bag, get a rubber band, and take two fingers from each hand and open the bag to it’s full extent after moving the fish in. When the bag is open, swiftly grab the bag at the top, towards the entrance, and pull the bag straight without releasing any air. Once you have the air in the bag, spin the bag until the bag goes tight. Bend the spun flap at the top of the bag towards the base of the bag, and place the rubber band around the flap. Take two fingers, and pull the rubber band as tight as possible, and flip the rubber band so it forms an X. When this is done, move the rubber band over the flap to the other side and pull it tight once again. Pull the rubber band under the flap, and rotate the the bag around the rubber band, using the force to tighten the rubber band, without letting go of the top, or all of it will become undone. When the rubber band is tight enough, move the small hole the rubber band has left over the flap, and your bag is tied. The point of tying it in this fashion is that with a simple pull of the flap, the knot becomes undone and getting the fish out is simple. Practice this method a few times before applying it to fish to make sure you have the hang of it. If you’re transporting smaller fish, then the bag on its side or on the top of no smaller fish get trapped in the corners. If the bag is tied right, no water should leak out of the top. Other forms of transportation are acceptable, but these bags are meant to work through driving, which can throw a fish from a cup onto the floor of a car.

[cb]Wrong places to rehome fish
[c]Never release a fish into a pond that you either down own, or isn’t properly safeguarded from birds. This can completely destroy the delicate balance formed in that pond and lead to massive problems. Invasive species are major problems around the world, and all of them are caused by people releasing their exotic pets into the wild. Keeping the fish in its current tank or euthanization would be preferable to releasing it. Also, don’t give the fish to someone you don’t trust, or know they won’t treat it right. If worst comes to worst, and none of the good options in the previous paragraph are available, leave the fish in its current tank, or quarantine the fish if only one fish is being rehomed.

[cb]Why this matters
[c]From time to time, we always have to rehome fish. Whether you don’t feel you have the ability to provide the care for the fish that it needs, or saved the fish without being prepared to take care of it, rehoming fish is often the best option available. Once again, rehoming fish is an honorable thing to do, and should be widely respected that you had the ability to sacrifice personal happiness for a fish’s health. Remember to always treat your fish as living creatures, and not as decorations.