Judge John Hodgman Prawn and Order
Sep 16, 2026
A surprise fish tank sparks a marital courtroom battle over whether ghost shrimp are pets or merely algae-eating equipment. The dispute revives earlier household tensions, from indoor trumpet practice to bagworm science projects and a pepperoni-loving wild roadrunner. With dreams of salamanders, frogs, and a larger aquarium on the line, the ruling hinges on consent, shared space, and the true meaning of “pet.”
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The Fish Tank Arrived Without Consultation
- Sam took the children to PetSmart and returned with a fish tank, then later bought shrimp when the store lacked snails.
- Leora accepted the fish but objected to being excluded from decisions about animals entering their home.
Sam Kept The Glowfish Alive For Two Years
- Leora says Sam carefully kept Blub and Rosie alive for more than two years, including treating Rosie when she developed an illness.
- The glowfish became a successful family project despite Leora never choosing them herself.
The Ghost Shrimp Disappeared
- Sam bought two nearly invisible ghost shrimp to eat algae, leftover flakes, and fish waste after failing to find snails.
- One shrimp died while Sam traveled, and the other disappeared, leaving Leora to explain the loss to their children.
