I do feel bad, and I honestly think replacing the class "pet" is a bad idea. Ok my oscar is thriving and has for 5 yrs but that is the only fish I can claim any knowledge on. My son says we need to replace it (the betta) Hubby says the kids will dissapointed my heart says I should tell the kids the truth I am grown up and I messed up. Maybe 5th graders are better suited to a Walmart pup that requires batteries? (my son excluded as he spent his summer mowing lawns to have the feral kitties he rescued spayed and neutered so he can keep them) but even so an animal is animal, and this one died.