Well, lets be honest, we all know its cruel. If people want to argue this then fair enough. Im big enough to agree to disagree.
I dont know why i shared this if im honest, i felt the video was quite shocking. But as things along those lines tend to do, it caused a mini debate, which wasnt my intention
No worries, and I for one agree with you on your stocking perspective. Sounds like you have a nicely stocked tank yourself and I too, agree that keeping that many large fish in such a small space is a bad idea.......and I think a good debate is good every now and then, especially when most of us feel the same as you do......
But as Aquanero points out, taking this stock and giving them a much larger tank could potentially shake up what seems to be a peaceful existence, Not saying this particular tank is peaceful all the time, because my fish act VERY differently when they know they are being photographed.....they are actually all a bunch of hams, but it is interesting that the fish in the tank do seem to be quite large, with big nuchal humps and no shredded fins.
Not my idea of a good tank at all, but what is more cruel? Seeing these three fish coexist without injury or seeing a tank 10x the size with fish with battle scars and fins torn to hell.......I myself have had to deal with more aggression from time to time once I moved most of my large cichlids from the 90 they had outgrown (in my mind) and introduced them to the 300. All logic about giving them tons of added space and room to grow went out the window when I saw 2 fish that had never fought once in the 90, battle ferociously over one particular "territory" within their new much larger home......
sometimes, as a fish keeper I feel responsible for the end result, because my fish are ultimately at the mercy of me, the hobbyist. I thought 4-6 medium to large cichlids would have ample space in the new 8 footer, but I 've experienced more aggression in this setup than a lot of other hobbyists experience in the same size tank with 3 to 4 times the stock.
Some stock lists around here completely baffle the mind, but I think there is something to be said about "overstocking". I personally hate a tank with no decor, no cover and tons of fish, just hanging out piled on top of each other, but it's hard to argue the end result.......
the real question I still have though is......"yes it works, but for how long?" and none of us can answer that question. I'd prefer to give my fish space and to not have to do an insane amount of maintenance in order to keep them. I like enjoying my fish and even if I could add 10 more fish to my tank, from a bio standpoint alone, it would be more work than it would be worth at the end of the day. if i have to referee every now and again to give them what I see as a good healthy environment, than I guess that comes with the turf. They are cichlids at the end of the day......
I just find it a little insulting, that some over crowded tanks are ok, but there others with 50% less bioload then that 75g get the earbashing of a lifetime and probabley don't use this site again, I have myself been put off by the lectures you receive on here. Just goes to show, one rule for one, one rule for another. I do believe if a overcrowded tank works and the fsh are fine brilliant, but not fish of that aggression or size. I personally never disclose my stock on this site as there will always be someone to pick fault. I just find it interesting that someone will get verbal earbashings for keeping 2 oscars in a 55 and yet this 75 with 3 red devils is ok?
