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

[chagoi]

I would like to keep them. I,m old my koi are young I'll be in the big tank in the sky before them.

 

[JamesF]

While it is true that dogs and fish are on different levels, the fish are owed a little more from keepers I think. They rely on us for EVERYTHING, including their complete living environment. Also, not many people are willing to adopt a fish, and even fewer CAN adopt certain fish (like aripaima) which makes choosing fish you are capable of housing even more crutial. Also, my last dog passed away at 11. My oldest fish are now the same age, and will likely outlive my 5 year and 2 year old dogs now, which puts them in a class that no dog can compare with.

 

[Michiba54]

I think if people were 100% honest, the survey results would be reversed. I think many people are voting what they would like to do but not what they actually do.

I have been keeping fish for over 40 years and am responsible (unfortunately) for short life spans of hundreds of fish and have dropped off over a hundred unwanted fish at the LFS. And this is a confession from a guy who loves animals.

My latest tank addition is a 125G. Due to aggression, it currently houses just two fish (7in F. Rostratus and 6in Titanium FH with a divider between them). When I bought the tank last year; if I knew that I was about to spend ~ $1,000 on another tank set up just to house a 3in F. Rostratus and 3in TFH, I would have decided against it. BTW - I had to drop off three large cichlids (from the 125G) at the LFS because the F. Rostartus became very aggressive when he grew from 3in to 7in. My other 10in F. Rostratus is an angel in comparison to the 7in.

As much as I love the two fish in the 125G; I can't imagine maintaining the tank with the current occupants for another 10 plus years. That could only happen if nothing major changed in my life. However, if I lost my job, had to move, became ill, got tired of the work load, or didn't have the time any longer (new job or hobby), the fish would go. The chances of one of the above happening in the next ten years is very high.

At long last, some down to earth honnesty, derived from decades in the hobby.

That still is logic based and in the "responsible" category, not like someone who buys a 3" RTC an plans to ditch it at 18".... I recently saw someone on MFK boasting this practice.

 

[HarleyK]

I see so you've always been one to keep fish their entire life, even at a young age. I find it hard to believe that you have kept every fish you've ever acquired until it has died.

I did not say that. Though that holds true for my first 26 years in the hobby, including (and especially) at a young age. I remember trading my first fish, and I've traded some more specimen since. In general, though, I am true to my roots and only get what species I can house. Some people like variety, others like ultimate dedication. To each his own.

For everyone else who also has minor difficulties understanding my intention regarding this poll: I am NOT asking if you have ever sold a fish. I am asking about your general intentions. Buying a cardinal tetra, you can be sure it's fine for life. Buying piranhas and only having a 40 gal tank, well, there is room to grow. Buying an arapaima and living in a rental apartment in NYC, well, you get the point (I hope).

HarleyK.

 

[Miguel]

Buying an arapaima and living in a rental apartment in NYC, well, you get the point (I hope).

HarleyK.

Sig material!!

 

[smitty03281964]

I buy what i know I can keep for life. So when I buy them small I say can I keep him or them once they reach full size.

 

[Warborg]

I try to. I'd say I kept 90% since 1990.

I've had 5 major cases where I did give up fish(s).

1) When I did a major scale back(went from 26 tanks to just under 10)

2) Got rid of my 23 inch niger cat that was growing an inch a month.

3) When my 190 gallon broke.

4) Gave away a 12 inch pleco at the request of someone.

5) When my pond broke(just recently and still have fish in tubs)

 

[postshawn]

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.

I've had many dogs. The only time we got rid of one was because it didn't interact with our other two dogs at the time. We got the third one and had it for a week and had to give it back to the breeder.

Why do you think I haven't had dogs? I would never give up a dog because I want a different color dog. Have you done that? Sure they are completely different animals/pets/family members, etc. But still I don't think that giving up a fish because you want to go from community tank to aggressive tank or something like that is a good reason to all of the sudden get rid of your current stock. Either get another tank or wait. That's just my opnion and I know there are many people that decide to switch all the time. That's up to them. The question was posed though and I gave my input. Sorry if it wasn't to your liking.

I currently live in an apartment and have two fish tanks. When I move I hope next time to a house but it to another apartment if they don't allow fish tanks then I'm not moving there. The fish wont come sit on my lap or lick my hand when I'm feeling down. But I often do go sit in front of the fish tank for a while to watch. It provides a sort of stress relief for me to see the little guys do their thing.

 

[HarleyK]

But still I don't think that giving up a fish because you want to go from community tank to aggressive tank or something like that is a good reason to all of the sudden get rid of your current stock.

That's a loophole in this poll. I actually converted a community tank into a single specimen tank by introducing a wolffish (A little tougher to do it the other way around...)

As for dogs, Miguel is the man. 'Nuff said. Time to move on beyond dogs. How about cats?

HarleyK

 

[Snowflake311]

I have a dog (border collie mix) that is going on 16 yr old and still can walk around her mind is not all there and she is slowing down more and more everyday. But still 16 years is a long time for dog or any fish.

Any ways Yes I have sold 2 disucs because they did not turn out as I wanted. I bought one as this and turns out when I got it he was not what I ordered. Then I took in a fish with the intent to find it a good home and I did. I think fish rescue is a good thing. BUT all my other 40 some fish are here to stay. I'm getting a larger tank so I can keep them all because I can't part with any of them.