How a friend, or you the reef keeper, can prevent fish suicide. This is known by many different names including: carpet surfing, taking the magic toilet ride, getting eaten by something in the tank, VorTech shred, Free Willy, Harry Caray, and my personal favorite DOG SUSHI.
Here are the proven preventive measures
1. Ask the fish if they have a plan and how it makes them "feel"
2. Sit with them and provide for safety a minimum of twenty-four hours. This excuses you from any work or kid duty
3. if they start to get happier watch out! This is when they do it... the happiness is a result of finally deciding to go through with the plan. Cover all of the power-heads, and apply the tight fitting lid. Find that foamy thing you threw away when you got your VorTech
4. If it gets really bad and they keep bashing their head into the lid, provide for solitary confinement. Apply the padded specimen containers and tiny little straightjackets.
5. Once they are no longer experiencing suicidal ideation have them sign a suicide-watch contract. When they are determined "able to interact" with the population again, let them. Continue to monitor for safety on an hourly basis
:debi: