Are we actualy MFK ?

[waynes world]

Hi all, all the best for the new year

I was just wondering as reading through MFK how many of us actualy are true MFKers, we may get these fish but how long do we actualy keep them for.
I so much prefer to get them young and see them grow and keep them for many years into the full size they grow, into a monster fish, i myself will keep mine for the for life of the fish. IMO with no dig at anyone else as we all have our own ways, i think if you tend to keep these tank buster fish you should realy be able to keep untill its fully grown, unless something unexpected comes up where we need to sell the fish.

I mean are we realy MFKers if we keep them untill they out grow a 100g tank then sell it on as we can no longer keep them?

I have been slated, not on this site, for keeping 2 motoros (6inch now) and a TSNxRT (7 inch now) in a 150g (UK) tank, they will be happy in there for a good 12 months maybe more, but well before then i will have a 500g (UK) tank for them, then i am now also doing plans for a 1500g tank (UK) for the cats (getting a TSN) and motoros. See plans just hope it all goes to plan.

As said just an observation and not getting at anyone

 

[Red Devil]

i agree... this is a dedicated keeper of fish when the person keeps the fish for his entire lifetime... i do this...but i understand there are all kinds of reasons to be a fishkeeper ...if your a breeder you certainly cannot keep the fry everytime they spawn.. and some need the profits to keep going in the hobby... or business... but a true fishkeeper will research long before they purchase and have a goal or plan set in place as to what his expectations are in the near future keeping in mind the health and welfare of the fish he purchases.. and that is what mfk is about.. to teach, remind and to educate more and more members so that they will have the knowledge they need to succeed... and this goes for all situations in life.. research before you take the plunge and know what you want to accomplish ahead of time.. set your goals.. if you cannot expect to acheive them then do not pursue...

 

[Madding]

I know myself and many others are true MFK'ers! I think that the minority of people here keep with the intent of getting rid of when size becomes an issue. More often people make plans to upgrade and then don't. Both are things I disagree with in regards to keeping monsters.

 

[liontammer]

i agree with you. y would you want to buy and return you dont get a chance to learn about the fish any.

 

[derekp]

I completely agree. I will keep my fish for as long as they live. I have only gotten rid of 3 fish in my 10 years of fish keeping and I regret it. I gave up a jack dempsey and 2 3 foot alligator gar. I feel okay with the gars though because they went into the 35,000 gallon tank that a cabela's has near me. I miss my jack though.

 

[CLDarnell]

Wow, I couldn't agree more with both (edit: "all" replies. You all type too fast ) replies!

I am always thrilled when reading posts from someone with a 20 gallon talking about their water change, posting water parameters number instead of just saying "safe", knowing pretty much everything abut the species of the two fish they keep. And then to read later on how they just got a 55

Its not the size of the tank, its how you use it

Its even cooler when reading posts where keepers claim they love their fish, say good night to them, worry and fret because a fin got nipped, etc. One thing I have noticed on here is for the most part, we all try to make econimical decisions when it comes to tanks, stands, etc. But no one is ever looking for cheap food, cheap heaters or shortcuts in regards to quality of the supplies needed to take care of these monsters (both big and small).

And I agree...keep 'em for life

 

[waynes world]

i agree... this is a dedicated keeper of fish when the person keeps the fish for his entire lifetime... i do this...but i understand there are all kinds of reasons to be a fishkeeper ...if your a breeder you certainly cannot keep the fry everytime they spawn.. and some need the profits to keep going in the hobby... or business... but a true fishkeeper will research long before they purchase and have a goal or plan set in place as to what his expectations are in the near future keeping in mind the health and welfare of the fish he purchases.. and that is what mfk is about.. to teach, remind and to educate more and more members so that they will have the knowledge they need to succeed... and this goes for all situations in life.. research before you take the plunge and know what you want to accomplish ahead of time.. set your goals.. if you cannot expect to acheive them then do not pursue...

Hard to se that in red mate, i highlighted it for easy reading

I agree totaly, but breeders are a different matter to me as they are saving on the wild fish being caught. Which i agree with entirely.

I think that the minority of people here keep with the intent of getting rid of when size becomes an issue

This is what i disagree with realy, if you intend to keep an animal that grows to large for you to keep once fully grown you shoudlnt realy purchase it. Unless you are able to rehome it easily when you cant keep the upkeep. But i still think this is ina way wrong.

Like the saying ` a dog is for life not just xmas `

` A fish is for keeping not just for the fun of it `

I have a few fish that will require large tanks around 1000g and i understand and understood before i got them that they will require this, and at a cost of £000s to just build the tanks etc i am well prepared for this.
So i class myselef as a dedicated MFK

 

[MonsterMinis]

MFK means a few things to me. being a MFKer Isn't just about how big the fish are. But takeing that extra step beyond typical husbandry. The constant strive to learn more, do more, and maintain our fish better. Do many of the people here have "large" fish? Yes, but not all of them. 'nore are all of their fish Monsters in the typical sense.

 

[fishy12]

The only fish I ever sold was for store credit and it was for the best. It was a tiger oscar I got when I was really young that out grew my ttank

 

[mike b]

I agree I like to get mine small and grow them out and keep them for life I think alot of people go to a petstore and see a cute little fish and bring it home before they realize that its going to eat everything in their tropical fish tank then theyre stuck like its already been said research fish before making an impulse buy Ive been in the hobby for at least 25 years and still have alot to learn but people also need to remember fish are like children just because a book or the internet tells you a fish should act or grow a certain way doesnt necessarily make it true Ive got alot more to say but ill stop here last thing, I love my monsters. take care everyone happy new year