Dilemma, help me make a desicion guys!

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ElegantlyUnsophisticated

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 28, 2011
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San Diego
Alright, here we go, I apologize in advance for the rambling that's probably about to happen here (some background for clarity: I'm 17 and live at home with my parents, so as much as I wish I could get anything I want I can't! :irked:). Basically, I've had this 55 gallon tank of African cichlids and oddballs for a while now, but I also love reptiles (have a corn snake too at the moment) and really want to add a lizard to the family. I have a 15g tank open at the moment and it would be perfect for a leo, I showed some pictures of dorky leo grins to my dad and he was all over it! This is really exciting cause normally my dad isn't really into new animals (we have a bit of a zoo) but he's into reptiles and really loved the leo's look. While we were talking about leos and how awesome and low maintenance they were, he suggested that I could, if I wanted to, trade in the fish in the 55 and use that for a bigger lizard, such as a beardie. This would be very easy, as there's a great LFS here whose employees we are very familiar with and they take in fish for either money or store credit. Now, I would be completely stoked to have a beardie, as I've researched them extensively and they seem fascinating (I research animals for fun...:screwy:) but as childish as it is, I'm attached to some of my fish. One in particular, a peacock fry with some sort of weird tail defect, I'm very partial to. Also, the deal is that we have to wait until our kenyi fry grow up before we make any sort of decision (I'm alright with this, my first ever set of fry!). But... am I being stupid to pass up this opportunity? I don't mind just having a leo but I'm not sure how my parents would feel about adding a new member without lessening what we already have... MonsterFishKeepers, help a conflicted teenager reach her final conclusion!
 
hmm.. I find myself faced with a similar dilemma a much of the time. Reptiles or fish? It's an impossible decision, and the best you can do is come to a sort of combination of the both. Reptiles will certainly give you back more as individuals, and may grow attached to you, depending on the species and the individual.
To simplify it, I usually view it like this: for reptiles, you put in a lot of care and maintenance for the individual animal, which you get quite a bit back from; whereas with fish, (In general the "smaller" species, ie coms and smaller cichlids- nothing monstrously large) you put in the efforts to maintain the entire tank as a system. Reptiles will be a joy to handle and interact with, and fish are better just to gaze at, though many do develop recognizable personalities.
If you do choose to go with the beardie, I think it would be easy enough to convert the fifteen gallon into a fish tank, so you could continue with the fish hobby (maybe not the same cichlids you have, but fish nonetheless).
Also, I don't know what your plans for the future are, but if you're expecting to head out to college soon, it might be best to hold off on a bearded dragon or any other large lizard. When buying, you need to plan for the lizard's future as well- and a healthy beardie should more than ten years. Fish are easier to let go of in that regard, and I consider it just a bit irresponsible to buy now what you'll just have to give away in a few years time. That's why I'm waiting for many of the larger species I'm after (ackies, desert iguanas, carpet pythons, etc.) That being said, there are usually a few bearded dragons available for adoption from a local program or pet store- that can definitely be worth looking into.
good luck on this
-Jeremy
 
yeah, I must say that though they couldn't care less about me, I like the slimy little buggers. College won't be an issue for the animals, they're my dad's as much as they're mine (he's so into the little guys) so when I'm off and living in a situation where they can't come with me, they'll be safe at home. If you couldn't tell from my original post, giving away animals is a big deal! I think I'm leaning towards the leo in the 15g though, I've raised these cichlids up since they were tiny and they still have some growing to do, which I want to be a part of. I guess I just needed to get this out somewhere to help me make a decision. Thanks for the reasonable points!
 
Wait till the fry grow up and sell the fish. Get the beardie insted of the leo. They are fun but beardies get bigger and have a lil more personality to them. You can always setup another chichlid tank in the future. Every single pet store sells them.
 
Get the leo. You already have an awesome reptile and IMO best is keeping fish AND reptiles.
 
Im 17 too and while I loved both reptiles and fish, I ended up choosing one. Reptiles. But hey in a year or two You can get back to both. Good luck with your decision.

Id get the beardie, my little cousin has little juvie and is great with handling already
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