Rescue fish

We recently added a new member to our family. After much discussion with my children, we decided on the name Haven. Haven is spunky and friendly. I did not expect to add another pet to our home this summer, but once I saw Haven, I knew that he belonged in our home. Haven is a betta fish that is a rescue from Rustic Roots Shoppe in Noblesville.

I heard from a student of mine about a rescue that her family also adopted this summer. I could not help but laugh at the thought of a fish being referred to as a rescue, but it made me curious enough to look into it. I decided to go to Rustic Roots and see what this fish rescue business was all about.

Upon arriving at the shop, I saw the collection of betta fish that were available for adoption, along with information about their rescue. The sign read, “Most of these little ones were either sitting on the shelf for too long, passed up for not being ‘pretty enough,’ or simply not feeling their best. So I bring them home, to get them healthy again, and give them a fresh start – a clean, beautiful little penthouse, a name, and the care they deserve. Now they’re thriving, full of personality, and ready for a second chance at life.”

Each betta on the display was kept in a unique container. There was an assortment of vases, and one was even in a coffee pot. They each had a variety of plants that took root and were sitting on the top of the container with the roots submerged. I wondered how it would be to care for fish that was not being homed in a traditional aquarium, and how the plant worked with the whole thing, but quickly learned that the roots of the plant thrive on the waste from the fish and it creates its own ecosystem.

There sat Haven on the shelf. I had both of my kids with me, and we agreed that we needed to get Haven and give him a good home. I did not mention to my husband that we were adding a fish to the mix. I figured that would be a fun surprise for him to find him on the counter once he was home. It would also be too late for him to object because a few years ago we had an aquarium situation that was a disaster, and he has told me to never even think about fish again. My mom actually purchased Haven for us and thought it was hilarious that her son-in-law would find out about our new fish upon his arrival from work that evening.

The ride home was entertaining to say the least. If you haven’t ridden shotgun with an enormous vase on your lap with water and a live fish filled to the brim lately, it’s certainly an experience. Every turn and bump my mom hit on the drive home was met with profanity and threats if any fish water got on me or the car.

We get home and put Haven on his special spot on our kitchen island. My husband arrived home and was quickly assured that this was not going to be the aquarium situation 2.0.

We have now had Haven for a few months and I can say that in addition to being a relaxing pet, he does have quite a lot of personality, especially when it comes to feeding. The water is easy to replace as you can use bottled spring water if you do not want to use de-chlorinated water. You need to trim the roots of the plants from time to time, so the fish does not get tangled in the roots, but besides that, it has been an easy addition to our family. Everyone gets a chuckle when I tell them that we rescued him, but when you learn the condition of these fish and how they were found, they truly were rescued, and it’s a labor of love for the folks at Rustic Roots Shoppe and for those who choose to adopt them.

I highly encourage you to check out their store in Noblesville and think about the addition of a rescued betta to your house. Maybe there is someone in your life that cannot care for a cat or dog, but would like some companionship and this would be the perfect pet for them. Next time you’re in Noblesville, stop in and check it out!

Megan Rathz is a wife, mother, and teacher. She says everything she has ever learned in life came from her Master Gardener mother.