Be responsible for the species you choose!

[Loves severums]

I completely agree with that. I unfortunately (or fortunately depends on how you look at it) did not have the internet when I was their age and younger. I spent most of my time at the library or fish club meetings learning from others and taking their advice. However when some kid comes on here asking for advice on a certain species and several experienced advanced aquarists give them great advice and they go against it. It really irritates me and many others that I have talked to when they make a post the following week that the fish died for whatever reason. Normally they blame everything else other than their own mistake. I don't think we have to worry too much though.... school is about to start and we can go back to enjoying this forum until next summer.

why does it matter what age as all as u research before buy a fish.

 

[lujor]

Incidences of irresponsible fishkeeping (& almost anything else irresponsible) are much more common with people with less knowledge and less experience. Who is more likely to have less knowledge and less experience? Younger people. PERIOD. I know it is unfair to assume that ALL young fishkeepers are this way, but it is certainly more likely. I can't speak for april, but I do not want to restrict access to this site. The only reason I brought it up is that I have had mods censor and modify posts because they wanted to keep the site safe for young eyes. I am ok with that in extreme cases, but it seems to be a slippery slope. Banning underage MFKers would remove that excuse. (Not that I want to sling obscenities & have stripper avatars) As I posted earlier, I don't think it is necessary or desirable. This is a good place to learn.

 

[lujor]

(side point here) What happens to the fish you buy as a 14 year old when you move out of your parents' place? I will assume you are going to college. Your parents take over the "responsibilities?" That's cool if your parents are as into fish as you are, but if it is being forced upon them..... Maybe you have thought all this through, but I will bet a lot of 14yo fish keepers haven't. OR, you could keep annual species

 

[Blue Butcher]

Age is not the issue. The issue is owning a monster fish and being responsible for it. I started with Betta's as a kid. I had guppies, swordtails, but they lived in a 25 or 50 gallon. Now I have my 3 ID's My avitar picture is an old shot, he is 8" bigger and has a 24" ID with him. It is being aware of the resposibility of your species. Life span is never talked about and should be. After 18 years, I have no idea how long my ID's will live, but they are mine for life. I am just disappointed in people who don't think ahead of the issues they will face, owning any kind of monster fish. It breaks my heart to say no to my LFS when they ask me to take home a big fish that someone finally realized was beyond their limits. Hopeully more people will read this thread and realize what I am trying to say. Im not trying to discourage people, or offend. It is just the opinion of a dedicated monster fish keeper, trying to improve the lives of other monster fish, and the people who may own one.

 

[lujor]

Age is not the issue. The issue is owning a monster fish and being responsible for it. I started with Betta's as a kid. I had guppies, swordtails, but they lived in a 25 or 50 gallon. Now I have my 3 ID's My avitar picture is an old shot, he is 8" bigger and has a 24" ID with him. It is being aware of the resposibility of your species. Life span is never talked about and should be. After 18 years, I have no idea how long my ID's will live, but they are mine for life. I am just disappointed in people who don't think ahead of the issues they will face, owning any kind of monster fish. It breaks my heart to say no to my LFS when they ask me to take home a big fish that someone finally realized was beyond their limits. Hopeully more people will read this thread and realize what I am trying to say. Im not trying to discourage people, or offend. It is just the opinion of a dedicated monster fish keeper, trying to improve the lives of other monster fish, and the people who may own one.

Age IS at least part of the issue, and you just made the case for it. A 14yo has dif considerations because of the "life span" of their fish. If at 18 that now-14yo is going to go to college and live in a dorm...??????? Part of being responsible for these monsters is taking that into consideration. And, in general, you would have to agree that responsibility increases with age. Not for ALL, but IN GENERAL. By their very nature teenagers have more trouble "looking ahead" than adults. It's akin to a law of nature: the young live for the moment, don't worry about tomorrow, and think they are invincible. I am aware that there are exceptions, and (AGAIN) I don't think the young should be restricted from this site; if anything, they need to hear stuff like this more than anyone. BUT, it is a fair point when discussing responsible fishkeeping to point out how it is related to/affected by AGE.

 

[chloe]

indeedy, same with snakes.
shame but theres nothing we can do about it. at least with snakes they get their own back...fish cant :-(
x

 

[chloe]

age isnt the issue, IGNORANCE is the issue.
there are some amazing young fishkeepers on here. and of all ages.
its just ppl that get it because its cool and they can invite ppl round to see their 'big fish'.

 

[komodo182]

(side point here) What happens to the fish you buy as a 14 year old when you move out of your parents' place? I will assume you are going to college. Your parents take over the "responsibilities?" That's cool if your parents are as into fish as you are, but if it is being forced upon them..... Maybe you have thought all this through, but I will bet a lot of 14yo fish keepers haven't. OR, you could keep annual species

They came with me to uni haha
Bachelor apartment haha, it was funny. Now I have a two bedroom apartment with a 70 gallon, a 55, a 55, a 35 and soon to be 50 gallon (its on its way here as we speak) I got more into the hobby once I moved out and a lot of my friends are that way too. No one decides if you have too many fish tanks, only you and your girlfriend (my girlfriend even buys tanks now )


I just got a email, the guy broke the tank trying to get it in his truck...no new 50 gallon for me today

 

[Blue Butcher]

Here is another point that I alone have to consider. My 17 year old son has learned all he needs to know about my fish. He may inherit them. ONe shark is older than him and the other two are about 4yrs old. That means I may have ID sharks for another 20+ years.( Which is why I won't buy another one) I am in my mid 40's now. Will they outlive me LOL Will I be capable at that age? I better be!!

 

[lujor]

age isnt the issue, IGNORANCE is the issue.
there are some amazing young fishkeepers on here. and of all ages.
its just ppl that get it because its cool and they can invite ppl round to see their 'big fish'.

Wisdom comes with age. So when you are young you have "less" wisdom = ignorance. You are really saying the same thing. You lose your ignorance through experience and seeking knowledge. The former you can't force or rush- it takes time, the latter you have more control over, but it still takes time to gain and comprehend new info. Also, ignorance can be divided into two categories: willing and unwilling. Ignorance borne of a lack of experience can't be held against someone, but it is what it is.