Can/Do you house your fish for life???

[Miguel]

I can't image how violently my wife would have reacted if I came to her last year and said I want to spend $5,300 (tank, fish, and monthly cost) to keep two fish for ten years.

One thing that one is never late to learn ( irrespective of the years on the hobby ) is that wives cannot, at any cost, be made privy to all that said hobby entails.

My wife firmly believes that the most expensive Oddball I've ever had has cost me in the reach of 50€.

Most fish I have are awesome deals I managed to do and some of them are gifts from the LFS's.

 

[theunytedone]

I always have intended to keep my fish for life. They are a part of the family just as my dogs and cats all have been when I was growing up.

I recently got into fishkeeping again in mid 2010...and the decision has actually kept me from going into the Army. Other reasons too, of course. But among the main one's were fishkeeping. It's so important. lol.

 

[Snowflake311]

I try not to get fish I can't keep long term. I was thinking I might have to let some of my big cichlids go due to over stocking but I'm getting a bigger tank so it's ok.

My fish are my pets and I do grow attached to them. It's also hard to find them good homes around here. Most people just want cute baby fish.

I have asked thus question before but I think some people change stock because they get bored most of the time.

 

[vfc]

I try not to get fish I can't keep long term. I was thinking I might have to let some of my big cichlids go due to over stocking but I'm getting a bigger tank so it's ok.

So you are like me and probably most people; i.e., we are willing to keep CERTAIN fish for life but have no issue discarding the rest.

That path almost always needs to be followed with African cichlids. Many start out by overstocking a tank. As they grow up, aggression becomes too painful to watch as one fish after another is shredded or killed. You can add more tanks, but soon those tanks are in the same situation. That's when we, as fish gods, step in an choose who gets to live "forever" in our tank. Unfairly (immorally in a sense) the bully with good looks quite often is the chosen one. However, the devil in me comes out when I have a bully with average to below average looks. Don't ask me how they end up.....

 

[postshawn]

LIfe'rs for me. I don't want to put the stress on the fish. Unless I couldn't handle it anymore and needed to get out of the hobby then I'm going to keep the ones I pick out. I personally wouldn't get a fish if I didn't think I could keep it for the life of it. You don't adopt a dog and get rid of it 2 years later because you want a different color dog. Well I mean you shouldn't do that but the same I believe goes with the fish. Either get another tank if you want something else or just wait.

 

[Miguel]

You don't adopt a dog and get rid of it 2 years later because you want a different color dog. Well I mean you shouldn't do that but the same I believe goes with the fish. Either get another tank if you want something else or just wait.

Pardon my asking, but do you have, or have had, a dog?

A person that compares a dog to a fish, has certainly not had interactions with dogs.

 

[derekp]

Pardon my asking, but do you have, or have had, a dog?

A person that compares a dog to a fish, has certainly not had interactions with dogs.

Some will tell you that many fish act like dogs. My ripsaw catfish and my oscar very much remind me of dogs because I can hand feed and pet them. They like me more than my actual dog does. They cant follow me around the house because I dont live in water. I bet they would if I did though.

 

[Morledzep]

Pardon my asking, but do you have, or have had, a dog?

A person that compares a dog to a fish, has certainly not had interactions with dogs.

miguel, unfortunately what that guy says happens all the time. dogs get dumped at the local shelters or put into rescue for some of the stupidest reasons.

one lady (in AZ, but i'm sure it happens here in CA too) had a black and white Parti poodle, she turned it in to a rescue because she changed the decor of her livingroom and the dog no longer matched.

folks use the "i'm moving" excuse to abandon their dogs all of the time. i see or hear it almost every day. i understand having to move, but more times than not you are given ample time to find a new place, couldn't you just as easily look for a place that will accept your dogs too?

my dogs are my family, just as much as my kids are. i'll never abandon them. my dogs are dogs, don't get me wrong, i don't think of them as children in furr coats.. but i don't abandon my family members, my dogs give me unconditional loyalty, they deserve the same in return.

 

[Miguel]

my dogs are my family, just as much as my kids are. i'll never abandon them. my dogs are dogs, don't get me wrong, i don't think of them as children in furr coats.. but i don't abandon my family members, my dogs give me unconditional loyalty, they deserve the same in return.

I know a long time ago that you have dogs ( am very attentive to dog signs, hehe )

I know the terrible, stupid things that are done to dogs, but that is not the discussion here...

The committment one assumes with dogs and that dogs have towards us, has absolutely no comparison to what happens in the framework of a fish/owner relationship.

So yes, I would, evidently ( and perhaps for reasons one might consider stupid ) get rid of a fish, but not of a dog....

 

[Morledzep]

no doubt Miguel.. if push comes to shove i will let the fish go..NOT the dogs.