Clue Me In!!

[boldtogether]

I want in! I want to keep the real cool fish like rays and aros! I want to know how to get "in" with the "in" crowd!
How does a guy with no money graduate up to the majors and get the opportunity to keep some truly exceptional species? I have experience, time and motivation. I am committed, responsible and truly love fish keeping!
Is it that I am just to broke to ever realize keeping a Motoro or Leopoldi? I cringe at spending more than $50 on a fish!

I know, I know. "Save up your money", "Set your priorities", "Set your fish keeper goals"...I get that. What can I do to get in the circle? That fish keeping circle where people give you one of their "extra" Arapaima?

Who out there is watching their tank of "common" dreaming of the uncommon but to broke and un-connected to realize the dream of owning a blue eyed Panaque or a chili red Aro? Black Diamond Leopoldi...
Sigh.

 

[stingraybob]

Pimpin aint easy bro...surf the ad's or craigslist...or get some dinero lol

 

[importracer]

I want in! I want to keep the real cool fish like rays and aros! I want to know how to get "in" with the "in" crowd!
.................................................................................uncommon but to broke and un-connected to realize the dream of owning a blue eyed Panaque or a chili red Aro? Black Diamond Leopoldi...
Sigh.

I have been in the trade for almost 25 years.............I have been in many types of low to average paying jobs over the years.............I have actually supported my hobby on General Welfare Assistance money on and off over the past 5-8 years..........The most I have spent on a single purchase for a fish was almost $200..............The money is there, it is the "you, the MONSTER YOU.........."

 

[MrSomethingFishy]

I have been doing this for a long time now, and not once have i gotten a handout from anybody. I have several friends that also keep fish, and a few times I have gotten a deal on fish that they could no longer keep. (My friends are not too bright, they buy expensive fish and bring them hime and find out that they can and will eat their other fish) Never anything free though. Its not one of those hobbies. Sometimes you jus have to be there at the perfect time or be looking in the right place as someone is in a desperate position. Good luck with the hunt for a "monster" but while you wait, save some cash and always keep your eyes open for the next big steal. LOL

 

[TheTankMates]

I went through that stage when I had marine tanks and slowly realized the rarity or price of a fish didn't correlate to an enjoyable exp. Was my Asfur angel more enjoyable than my maculosus? No not really because now there was an asfur that had had a white moon instead of purple. Now I just get what I like and enjoy, whether its 2 bucks or 250. Most fish I buy are 50 and under and I couldn't care less what everyone else thinks. Ever since i stopped I have gotten much more out of this hobby instead of frustration chasing the dragon trying to keep my collection as un common as possible. Do you llike fish or do you want to have a succesful youtube account where everyone can ooh and ahh over your "collection"? I saved my change in a jar and used that for expensive fish or get a second job for a few weeks just to get the collection you want.

 

[boldtogether]

I went through that stage when I had marine tanks and slowly realized the rarity or price of a fish didn't correlate to an enjoyable exp. Was my Asfur angel more enjoyable than my maculosus? No not really because now there was an asfur that had had a white moon instead of purple. Now I just get what I like and enjoy, whether its 2 bucks or 250. Most fish I buy are 50 and under and I couldn't care less what everyone else thinks. Ever since i stopped I have gotten much more out of this hobby instead of frustration chasing the dragon trying to keep my collection as un common as possible. Do you llike fish or do you want to have a succesful youtube account where everyone can ooh and ahh over your "collection"? I saved my change in a jar and used that for expensive fish or get a second job for a few weeks just to get the collection you want.

You know, I guess I never thought of it that way. I do get caught up in the wow factor sometimes and forget how hard it is keeping even an Oscar sometimes. Honestly, I wouldn't even want an Arapaima, thats a fish best left in the wild in my opinion...
Thanks for the insight.