RE: Don't Buy Oscar Fish - 6 Reasons Why

[esoxlucius]

And Viktor, please make note of the two quoted posts above. This is something that you just recently asked me about in another discussion. Not that I think that it will be in our life time (but it could be?), but when they come, as Ogertron3000 put it, "if aquariums become targets it will be videos of giant fish in small tanks with HITH they will be showing." You know, like a 12"+ oscar in a 55 gallon.

So while you are advocating the allowing of those types of set ups, to children or otherwise, please keep in mind that in the background people of your mindset will also be assisting the building of a PETA foothold in to our hobby.

Imagine if the anti hobby brigade got their wish and lobbied for strict laws telling the would be fish keeper what size fish could lawfully be kept in what sized tank. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when they all get their heads together and start drawing up guidelines. They'll end up right where we are now, arguing over what size tank is suitable, for life, for whatever type fish!!! The irony in that.

That's of course if they don't lobby to ban the hobby altogether and instead try and reach some middle ground.

 

[RD.]

Esox...... Exactly why the Hobby itself, should make an attempt to self monitor, and self moderate, before those that are anti everything are asked to do it for us. I don't have all the answers, but I certainly don't feel that condoning the keeping of fish such as an Oscar, in a 55 gallon, should be applauded.

 

[jaws7777]

This is your selective reading skills in action again.
Your referring to the pima thread again I guess.
Yes fish like that I don't believe should be in Walmart. They should be available to order for true enthusiasts not casual hobbyists that won't be able to provide proper care. I've never said anything different.
If people have the means to look after the fish, I see no harm. Casual Johnny that pops down the local fish store and buys these fish on a whim will no doubt give fish like that a miserable short life.

So what should you say? Yes a 55 is good for life?

Lol buddy the whole reading comprehension dig is someone elses shtick. You should come up with your own insults.

Can you use yours and find a comment i made in this thread saying a 55 was good for life ? Tbh i dont often give advice on minimum tank requirements.

Nothing is taken out of context, i leave that up to you. You already inaccurately described two past discussions in away to suit your narrative. You started stuttering on that thread when you were asked what exaxct size fish we start these restrictions.

I thought your latest comment was a change in heart. Hence the question.

 

[jaws7777]

Imagine if the anti hobby brigade got their wish and lobbied for strict laws telling the would be fish keeper what size fish could lawfully be kept in what sized tank. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when they all get their heads together and start drawing up guidelines. They'll end up right where we are now, arguing over what size tank is suitable, for life, for whatever type fish!!! The irony in that.

That's of course if they don't lobby to ban the hobby altogether and instead try and reach some middle ground.

I think allot of forum members would welcome this.

Some of them lay out the blue prints for this. Smh seen a few threads as of late showing how these ideological thoughts make sense on paper but not in reality. Even worse other threads where members are doing all the investigative work on their own. Seems like a lay up for an agency that needed ammo to support their cause.

 

[esoxlucius]

Esox...... Exactly why the Hobby itself, should make an attempt to self monitor, and self moderate, before those that are anti everything are asked to do it for us. I don't have all the answers, but I certainly don't feel that condoning the keeping of fish such as an Oscar, in a 55 gallon, should be applauded.

Like you, I think an Oscar in a 55 is not good at all. But consider this scenario to muddy the already very dirty water. A guy has an Oscar in a 55g, he realises it's not ideal and so to compensate he's meticulous with his maintainance and feeds the fish only the best food. His neighbour has an Oscar in a 180 but his maintainance is terrible and he feeds the fish scraps off his dinner plate. Who is the better hobbyist and which is the luckiest oscar? I'm betting that scenarios like this are happening all over.

 

[dan518]

Two sides to every debate, which is better a big intelligent oscar in a 55 gal in a busy part of the house with lots of stimulation or a oscar in a bare 180 gal stuck in a basement? I wouldn't recommend a 55 gal to house one and would always try to encourage someone to upgrade, but I wouldn't encourage someone to rehome one if they had been raising it for a few years.
I always think trying to self police our hobby is the way to go rather then letting some outside agency enforce rules on us. To do this these discussions need to be enterd in a grown up manor, with a open mind.

 

[jaws7777]

Like you, I think an Oscar in a 55 is not good at all. But consider this scenario to muddy the already very dirty water. A guy has an Oscar in a 55g, he realises it's not ideal and so to compensate he's meticulous with his maintainance and feeds the fish only the best food. His neighbour has an Oscar in a 180 but his maintainance is terrible and he feeds the fish scraps off his dinner plate. Who is the better hobbyist and which is the luckiest oscar? I'm betting that scenarios like this are happening all over.

Absolutely great example.

I'll definitely will be in the minority with this one but yeah 55 is agreed universally as not ideal. If the guy is busting his ass to keep the water pristine isnt that worth something ?

 

[dan518]

Absolutely great example.

I'll definitely will be in the minority with this one but yeah 55 is agreed universally as not ideal. If the guy is busting his ass to keep the water pristine isnt that worth something ?

Yes it is, but it should be made clear it's not ideal and definitely not used as a excuse to justify such stocking. Or used as an example to someone asking the stocking question.

 

[RD.]

This wasn't a case of what ifs, it was pretty straightforward from the get go. One poor example does not excuse the actions of another.

There never was a debate here. This was a no brainier, I would hope.

J jaws7777 , a 55 gallon is not agreed universally as being less than ideal. I guess you still haven't read the care sheets that the OP posted links to.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

This always happens in these debates.

What if this fish had this tank? , what if this fish had clean water? what if this fish had a big tank and no stimulation? What if this fish had huge filters? What if this fish got bludgeoned by a Chinese lesbian?
Who cares, we can't save all the world's fishes but we can try to give good advice to the point at hand.