What defines a Fish keeper?

[TheLastKon]

As the title states. In your opinion what defines us as Fish keepers? Is it someone who buys and collects rare species? Someone who goes out and collects fish to share with the hobby? Someone who breeds fish?

My opinion it’s someone who raises a fish in all aspects. Cleaning the filters, maintaining water quality, feeds/train/raise the fish, and finally breeding the fish. Otherwise ur just throwing money at your fish and looking at something swimming around. Can you truly understand your fish if you don’t haven’t maintained their waters? Can you tell their personality if you never fed or trained them? And are they truly happy if they refuse to reproduce in your care? What are your thoughts?

 

[Davidiator]

if you take care of more than 2 fish then you are a fish keeper

 

[krichardson]

Some fish simply wiill not reproduce in aquariums so why mention that point?

 

[TheLastKon]

Some fish simply wiill not reproduce in aquariums so why mention that point?

I mention the breeding because if those certain fish don’t breed then you aren’t meeting their requirements for breeding. In that sense they aren’t happy. They might be surviving and living but not thriving. Not saying they have to breed for you to be a Fish keeper but it should be a goal for all the fish we keep to breed. Kinda like parents who want grandkids. Most parents eventually want to become grandparents. But it doesnt make them a bad parent if their kids don’t have babies.

 

[kno4te]

Someone who has an interest in fish. Keeping fish and keep the hobby going by influencing others. My ideal fish keeper.

 

[esoxlucius]

if you take care of more than 2 fish then you are a fish keeper

Haha, i think that's the funniest quote i've read in a long long time. So all the guys and gals who keep one magnificent asian arowana, for example, in a 500g tank, true experts some would say, are not even fish keepers!!!! Keep those quotes coming, there's not enough comedy on this forum. And i love a good laugh, check out my avatar!!

 

[Hendre]

I mention the breeding because if those certain fish don’t breed then you aren’t meeting their requirements for breeding. In that sense they aren’t happy. They might be surviving and living but not thriving. Not saying they have to breed for you to be a Fish keeper but it should be a goal for all the fish we keep to breed. Kinda like parents who want grandkids. Most parents eventually want to become grandparents. But it doesnt make them a bad parent if their kids don’t have babies.

This is simply not true. Even with hormones and various attempts some fish simply won't breed, it's as simple as that. There are so many dynamics to it.

I'd define a fish keeper as someone who actively puts effort into providing for their fish. It's not always perfect for many reasons, but if you research, clean the tanks, give them good food and have fun while doing it then that is mighty fine to me

 

[esoxlucius]

I mention the breeding because if those certain fish don’t breed then you aren’t meeting their requirements for breeding. In that sense they aren’t happy. They might be surviving and living but not thriving. Not saying they have to breed for you to be a Fish keeper but it should be a goal for all the fish we keep to breed. Kinda like parents who want grandkids. Most parents eventually want to become grandparents. But it doesnt make them a bad parent if their kids don’t have babies.[/QUOTE

By your logic i must be the crappiest hobbyist who's ever lived because i cant get my clown loach to breed in my care. Oh wait a minute, neither has anyone else, hurray, i'm a fish keeping god after all!!!

 

[OnceLoyal]

I would agree with pretty much everything said minus the breeding aspect. Some species need change of season, migration etc. Not really possible in the ordinary tank environment.

I have a little more respect for raising babies to adulthood vs just buying adult fish. I freaking love buying small fish and raising them. Intricate details of fin health and scales. Water purity and clarity etc.
I love when my water is so clear everything is just suspended in mid nothingness.
Don't get me wrong with the breeding part. I think it plays a huge role especially for difficult species. Only thing I ever bred was feeders.
I want to try and breed neon tetras though for when my fish get big enough to ignore them I will have a school of 100+!!!

 

[pacu mom]

By your definition, I am not a fish keeper. Pacu have never bred in a home tank. They do breed in captivity with a lot of assistance--two shots of pituitary hormone for the female, one for the male. Eggs and sperm are harvested from the pacu.

Your premise also would mean that to be a fish keeper one would have to keep males and females of the same species.

OK, so I'm not a fish keeper. I'm good with that. I am definitely a water changer. Perhaps I should just call myself a water changer.

Here's my Prime stash--enough for 120,000 gallons of water minus 300 gallons (I just opened another jug of Prime)