After 20 years together, Odisha family bids emotional goodbye to beloved pet fish

A family in Odisha’s Balasore is heartbroken after losing someone who, to them, was never “just a pet.” In a story that’s equal parts unusual and deeply moving, the family is mourning the death of their pet fish - a giant gourami that had been with them for over 20 years. (Photo credit: OTV)

The fish belonged to Sanjay Das, who brought it home from Jamshedpur more than two decades ago. Back then, it was barely the size of his finger. Over the years, with a lot of care (and clearly a lot of love), the tiny fish grew into a massive one - almost three feet long and weighing close to four kilos. Watching it grow became part of the family’s everyday life.

And slowly, the fish stopped feeling like “just a fish.” It became part of the household in its own quiet way. It would react to familiar voices, let family members feed it by hand, and stay right there in their home for years. For them, it wasn’t some decoration in a tank. It was a presence. A routine. Almost like another family member, just with fins.

So when it died, the loss hit hard. The house felt emptier. One of the younger members of the family, especially, was shaken by it. To him, the fish wasn’t a pet at all, it was more like a friend he had grown up with.

Instead of simply discarding the body, the family chose to say goodbye in their own way. They carried out small rituals and laid the fish to rest in a tray filled with soil on their rooftop. Over the spot, they planted a rose plant. It’s still alive, still being cared for - a quiet little reminder of a bond that lasted more than 20 years.

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