Fishkeeping. Art or Science?

[Scorponok]

So did you get into fishkeeping for the sheer kick of science? Is the science of fishkeeping a means to an end or an end to the mean?

 

[Scorponok]

Good question David!

I think fish keeping is a science (for the enthusiasts). Water parameters, chemicals, species identification, compatability, trial and error, flow rates, research...these are all science related. But, most keepers take it to the next level and make it an art form.

I voted Science since I have seen many keep fish in a bare tank. You can keep fish without a piece of driftwood, but you can't keep fish (successfully) if you don't know nitrates.

So did you decide to keep a certain species because it's more scientifically sound?

Since "fish keeping" originated with the keeping of fish as a food source, with that logic, then "bacon" definitely applies

Obviously, they didn't have Fluvals 100 years ago, but Science is a continual evolution. You learn, you study, you implement. A fish won't last more than a couple of days if the keeper is totally ignorant of at least some semblance of Science (Consider cold tap water and a new Clown Fish and a betta bowl).

Can I opt to do daily WC on my Koi pond without knowing the scientific gibberish?

 

[CLDarnell]

So did you decide to keep a certain species because it's more scientifically sound?

Sort of...in my initial research, Cichlids seemed to be the best all around approach for me. I would have loved to do saltwater species (prettier fish by far) but I wasn't ready to invest what needed to be done to keep this type of fish. On the other hand, I have avoided certain species because I know I don't have the space or equipment to properly house them...or that my existing fish would not be compatible.

Can I opt to do daily WC on my Koi pond without knowing the scientific gibberish?

You probably could, but would the water change then be considered a form of art? I don't understand the relationship. You change water to lower nitrates (essentially). I doubt there are many people out there changing water simply for the pure pleasure of it

 

[Lambrakopoulos]

A passion...
Remember when you got your first fish, and you would sit in front of the tank and you could watch it for hours on end. You weren't thinking of science then, and i know i'm not thinking of it now.

 

[Scorponok]

You probably could, but would the water change then be considered a form of art? I don't understand the relationship. You change water to lower nitrates (essentially). I doubt there are many people out there changing water simply for the pure pleasure of it

Would feeding the fish also be considered a form of art, or science? WC is just maintenance.

You are correct about WC. Science only enables us to expand our fishkeeping capacities and capabilities, but is not the creation of fishkeeping itself.

 

[DavidW]

Water changes are neither Art not Science..they are therapy, both for the fish and the person doing the water changes!

 

[brich999]

ITS BACON! BACON, BACON, BACON

 

[studd muffin]

A passion.

A - most allways unsucessfull-attempt at science.

Art, also, when things work out fine without a clue as to how it did not go wrong.

Alas, I voted Bacon.

+1

 

[jclyde13]

Water changes are neither Art not Science..they are therapy, both for the fish and the person doing the water changes!

Except for when the person doing the water change messes up somehow and floods the room with water (which I know quite a few of us can relate to), then it is just extra stress for both the fish and the person.

 

[DavidW]

Except for when the person doing the water change messes up somehow and floods the room with water (which I know quite a few of us can relate to), then it is just extra stress for both the fish and the person.

well, you're not a real MFK'er until you've flooded your house at least once