Last week, after the fish tank located in the John L. Clarke Building sprung a leak that was deemed unfixable, the university notified the Home and Family department that the fish tank would not be replaced. 

Betty McQuain, BYU-Idaho Child Labs director, said that after she was informed that the fish tank’s leak was not fixable she began the traditional process to seek replacements. 

“So we had put in a request to have somebody come look at it and we were just going through the traditional process to see if we could get it replaced. Then we learned that in fact we were not allowed to have it anymore,” said McQuain.

The child labs, which is a teacher training program within the Home and Family department, has a budget from the university that McQuain and other faculty oversee. A portion of this budget has been used over the years to maintain the fish tank, and even used to purchase the fish. 

The new change has shocked many students, even so much as students are posting and commenting about this change on Facebook in a BYUI group.

Molly Arnold, an animal science major, commented on a post about the fish tank removal saying, “This actually made me cry… it made me so happy seeing it!”

Students agreed that the fish tank in the Clarke building would brighten their day while going to and from classes. 

Joceline Beals, an illustration major, commented on the Facebook post saying, “So sad, literally my favorite thing on campus!”

McQuain expressed how much enjoyment both the students and the children who come to campus for the child labs get from watching the fish swim around.

“We actually felt like it was contributing to the mental well-being of some people and all of us,” said McQuain. 

Several students echoed McQuain’s statement, saying that the fish tank provided a sense of calm during busy school days.

“The fish tank was a reminder to take a breath and enjoy the little things,” said Alex Barry, a child development major. "There were always kids who waited all week to see the fish. Now that it’s gone there is less laughter and joy in the hallways.”

Some students have said that the removal has changed the overall atmosphere in the hallway where the fish tank once stood. 

“Every other building has something unique. The art building has sculptures, Benson has plant rooms. And now Clarke has nothing. The fish brought happiness,” said Truman Bahouth, a computer science major. 

According to McQuain the fish will be rehomed. 

“We will be good stewards and do as we're asked, but we did feel sad,” said McQuain.