i'm going to agree with spiritofthesoul and jc1119. i had an RTC and wasn't prepared for how big she got (there were other factors involved also).
RTC are the closest you'll ever get to having a dog in an aquarium, they have WONDERFUL personalities and they seek attention from their owners. they aren't decorations or stuffed animated toys, they actually form a bond with the people that care for them.
i don't know who you are, or how old you are. but if you are raising children i want you to understand that you are teaching your children that it's ok to throw away your pets and family members when they become inconvenient.
only 20, no children yet, and hopefully none soon. That is a huge reason why i go through the trouble of doing this to begin with, i think alot more people write off RTCs as a big catfish nobody can house (which is pretty close to true) They are pretty cool pets, i also like limas too, most fish are just critters that swim around, the RTC has a personality to it, and an appetite to match.
If a LFS has a species of fish that sits around for 6 months without selling, they won't be ordering it again.
I think the point most of the members here are trying to make is, our hobby is a fragile one. One missed water change can wipe out an entire tank (not likely, but possible). A new fish introduced into a tank can kill off some of your prized babies. A new guy trying to get into the business sells piranhas to some buyers in Florida and the whole world gets a bad taste about fish keeping. And in the end, it all comes down to the fish. We buy them for enjoyment, not as a commodity.
You can always see a lot of disagreements here, but nearly every member will agree, they love the hobby and they love their fish.
your 20 years old without kids, slowly put back money and you could in a few months time get enough money to build a plywood tank large enough for a rtc. the building is cheaper then most would think. the money is in the filters.
your 20 years old without kids, slowly put back money and you could in a few months time get enough money to build a plywood tank large enough for a rtc. the building is cheaper then most would think. the money is in the filters.
I have the money, and i certainly dont mind spending it on fish (this method isnt cheap!)
At this point, i live with my parents, and with the depression, im assuming that isnt going to change soon, they dont want to see a 10-5-5 water structure in their house (especially an ugly plywood one) if i had my way, i would have filled the basement with water, and made a tunnel through it
Anybody here agree this is a good, rather "acceptable" thing to do? I am open to ideas, but aside from the morality of leaving it, i dont see a huge deal, I also think its worth stating that this isnt the average LFS, they know alot about fish, and dont sell to idiots, they rarely bring in cool catfish, and im called when they do, because its limited numbers, the LFS has a blue eyed pleco for cryin out loud! (1575 if your rich enough to afford it)
I doubt they going to ponds or monster size tanks more like dinner plate. IMO you getting screwed if he's selling them anyway you go and buy a fish, you feed it till it's larger then he buys it back at a fraction of the cost. After that he turns around and sells it for at the least 3X what the original price he gave to you if not more. no wonder he's your friend you quadrupled his investment by feed the fish for months while you had it. I guess I must be going to the wrong fish shops if I could get larger fish for the same price as a juvi would fetch I would. I thought it was pretty basic bigger fish bigger price tag.
Let me guess he gives you store credit only right? Which you then turn around and use to buy more fish you plan on not keeping for another 4x return on his investment that's Just good business for him your getting the short end of the stick here.
No............ It just shows you haven't formed a bond. Keeping fish is a addictive passion I would have to say. Not for all.... Those who are passionate wouldn't give there fish up. The goal is to get to the place where they can own that one fish. That one fish that made their eyes wide and the inner child squeal with delight.
I don't really lease fish. But I do grow out certain fish for my Lfs. Like right now I have 6 2" oscars. In return I get a bag of free food maybe once or twice a month and can get some stuff at cost(which is a lot cheaper sometimes) and he will order just about anything in for me, plus I get to help out my Lfs so hopefully he's around longer.
That is a huge reason why i go through the trouble of doing this to begin with, i think alot more people write off RTCs as a big catfish nobody can house (which is pretty close to true) They are pretty cool pets, i also like limas too, most fish are just critters that swim around, the RTC has a personality to it, and an appetite to match.
