Annoying (to me) phenomenon.

[esoxlucius]

Right, I'm just going to come out with it, it's been on my mind for basically the entire time I've been a member on here, which is just over 7 years now. It absolutely does my head in, it winds me up so much, surely I can't be the only one who thinks this way. I'm likely to get lambasted for what I'm about to come out with it but I need someone to explain to me one of the most annoying, to me anyway, phenomenons that regularly occur on this forum.

Here goes....

You decide to get an aquarium, of whatever size. You've been given the go ahead from your partner. You know whereabouts it's going to go in your home/fish room. You've pretty much decided on your filtration, and your decor, and your lighting. You've put a lot of thought into the planning of it all, and then, and then, and then...........you haven't got a single clue about what you're going to put in it. Absolutely no idea whatsoever, not a scooby doo!

The single most important, most exciting part of the whole process, stocking your new tank, hasn't even registered. We see thread after thread after thread asking, "what can I stock my new tank with?"

To me, you know what fish you want before you've even got the tank! It's an absolute no brainer. It's the whole idea of the whole thing. And yet we continually see these threads popping up.

This whole phenomenon doesn't register in my head, I do not get it at all, not even the teeniest little aspect of it.

Is it me just being old and grumpy or does my argument carry some weight, or make sense to anyone?

 

[fishguy1978]

I think there will be occasions where even a true fish nerd might have an empty tank and not know what he wants to put into it.
I’ve been keeping fish for 20ish years and am still learning about species I’ve never seen available that others have. Each lfs has the run of the mill stuff but what’s available that’s rare or unusual? Maybe the newbie doesn’t want a typical first time setup and is looking for input on a more unique specimen.
Or they are just lazy and haven’t done the research themselves

 

[tlindsey]

newbie

Not always a newbie lol but some just are excited that's what I get from it.

 

[aussieman57]

It could be worse...another Rift Lake mbuna, hap, peacock stocking question and then they refuse advice.

 

[Chet E.]

It's nice not to be alone in an endeavor?
.
At the pet store this is always the question, 'Which fish would go best in...', and the poor clerk begins to give advice, good advice, which may even be heard and taken. But, the depth of the question is not simple. What has actually been asked is for help to start well down the road of an adventure. Truthfully, the advice is merely a generic rule. What will impress the recipient is the adventure. But even the wisest counsel connot determine a certain outcome.
.
I have recently discovered, after decades of denial, in complete accordance with published literature, the palegic micropredators I've long enjoyed and never observed a herbivorous nature from, may in fact bother plants. Not very exciting, I know, but part of an adventure.
.
"...in a planted aquarium, some Hemiodus tetras may bother some tender vegetation."
.
Or, "...yes Yellow Labs can be kept with neons."
.
Or, one if my favorites was, "...a lobster!?
...in your bath tub!?"
Etc.
.
I've been curious about this too.

 

[esoxlucius]

It could be worse...another Rift Lake mbuna, hap, peacock stocking question and then they refuse advice.

Well, without question those threads are even worse. First question is, "what can I stock my new tank with?" Then four teeth pulling pages later the OP is still scratching their head. Lol.

 

[jjohnwm]

I agree that this has never made sense to me either. I admit that I shake my head in wonder whenever one of these threads comes up, and they come up a lot. Now, Esox, I'm not nearly as short-tempered and cranky as you are so I can't honestly say that I find it annoying, but rather merely puzzling.

You're right, when I set up a tank it's with the goal of keeping a specific species or group of species, usually with a specific general type of set-up in mind, i.e. substrate vs bare-bottom, planted or not, warm-water vs cold, flow-rate, etc. I never ask "what should I keep?" because I couldn't care less what other people think or what they would keep; much as I don't consider responding to that question when others ask it. You don't post a thread asking what you should have for breakfast, or what colour shirt you should wear, or whether you should grow your whiskers out or not...so why would you ask what fish to keep? Are you setting up an aquarium for you to enjoy...or simply to show off to others?

Now, to me, the ones that can quickly become potentially irritating are the "What do you think of this stocking list?" threads. You know the type: "I have 4 Oscars, a RTC and a Giant Gourami in my 55-gallon tank; can I add a pair of Peacock Bass or would that be overcrowded?" I try to just pass on by when I see one of those, but if I do that then I miss some of the best humour on MFK. As long as you can just read along and remain silent, you can sit back and laugh at the endless stocking lists that those threads usually include; those usually start off bad, and by the time you get to the Mark XII version they are often hilarious. The key to enjoyment: do not engage!!! If I can remain silent, the fun never ends. Remaining silent (which is something I rarely accomplish...) is often an exercise in willpower and self-control...meaning that you get a chance for self-improvement while also having a chuckle.

The best ones? That's easy: the award just has to go to the "...for life" threads. You know the ones I mean; "Can I keep a Red Devil in a 10-gallon tank...for life???" Well, of course you can...as long as you define "for life" as meaning "until it dies".

Now, please...don't get me going on happy fish...

Or they are just lazy and haven’t done the research themselves

Oh, come on...that never happens, does it?

 

[Midwater]

... You've been given the go ahead from your partner...

Yes that's important.

My missus asked where I was going this morning, and I said I was going out to drink and smoke (which I don't). She said accusingly, "No! You're going to look at fish."

Is it any wonder that so many people get the bare tank and worry about the fish later?

 

[tlindsey]

"No! You're going to look at fish."

 

[jjohnwm]

...My missus asked where I was going this morning, and I said I was going out to drink and smoke (which I don't). She said accusingly, "No! You're going to look at fish."...

Wow...it sounds as though she thinks she has you all figured out.

Well...actually, it sounds as though she really does have you all figured out...