It really does come down to what you enjoy. I think those fish are very lucky to have a tank that size and I'm sure their quality of life is going to be awesome. I too like to get fish smaller and let them grow to maturity. I only have breeding going on in a few tanks right now though just because i have limited tank space and breeding does require additional tanks which i don't have.
I am not a monster fishkeeper anymore
- Thread starter twhittle
- Start date
I wouldn't say your not a Monster Fish Keeper - Green Terror, Red Terror, Jaguar, Oscars - these are some large fish. Some Plecos and Bichirs can be monsterous as well. I was actually set back when I joined this site almost a year ago. I didn't expect to see so many Cichlids owners. I was expecting to see only Payara,Goliath Tigers,Piranha,Wolf fish,Dorados,etc....Characin owners. Basically large fish with large teeth that only eat flesh. I own these types of fish - been my hobby for many many years. "Common cichlids" - are big, beautiful, loaded with personality, and IMO their care is minimal compared to large Characins.
I'll even stick my neck out there and say that common cichlids out live Characins by many years because of there ease of care and adaptability. Owning the largest fish you don't even like isn't what it's all about. Popularity contests over the internet in a surreal enviorment isn't MFKing either. Monster Fish Keeping is what your doing now. Aquiring fish that are pleasurable to you and housing them for life. Then turning around and sharing your knowledge of fish keeping with the rest of us - Keep it up your an asset to Monster keeping.
I'll even stick my neck out there and say that common cichlids out live Characins by many years because of there ease of care and adaptability. Owning the largest fish you don't even like isn't what it's all about. Popularity contests over the internet in a surreal enviorment isn't MFKing either. Monster Fish Keeping is what your doing now. Aquiring fish that are pleasurable to you and housing them for life. Then turning around and sharing your knowledge of fish keeping with the rest of us - Keep it up your an asset to Monster keeping.
Good choice, especially the Oscars. At my age I can have pretty much any fish I want, one way or another I'd find a way to pay for it or buy a big enough tank. But I could care less about that, I've got 18+ tanks and it's my 6 Oscars that keep me in this hobby. I see other people's pictures with their big expensive fish and think, "Oh what a pretty fish, that one's nice." Then I say a small 'thank you' in my head for my Oscars. If not for my common everyday Oscars I'd want no fish at all.
Be careful with the EBJD as the other fish will grow at twice the rate and outcompete it for food. Awesome fish though if you can grow him past 3 inches.
Otherone;3718603; said:
What I meant was for the time being my fish are small. I know that these fish get big. Thanks for the comments though. You make some good points.
What a great attitude!
In my opinion, there's way too much one-upsmanship and chasing after the latest fad fish. I keep the fish that I like. They come in and out of fashion, not that I care. A breeding pair of convicts never ceases to amaze me.
I always say that well-cared-for fish are some of the rarest... even if they are fish that you can find at your LFS!
Way to bring it back to the basics.
Bravo!
Matt
In my opinion, there's way too much one-upsmanship and chasing after the latest fad fish. I keep the fish that I like. They come in and out of fashion, not that I care. A breeding pair of convicts never ceases to amaze me.
I always say that well-cared-for fish are some of the rarest... even if they are fish that you can find at your LFS!
Way to bring it back to the basics.
Bravo!
Matt
dogofwar;3719125; said:
Thanks. I am not saying that people who keep rare fish are fish snobs or anything. For some people what brings them joy is finding and keeping what is rare. I think that is great. For me, I just finally realized that I have never kept a more enjoyable fish than an oscar. I was spending way too much to find the "holy grail" fish when they were right there in front of me the whole time. Don't get me wrong, I will still get unique and interesting things. I am just taking it down a notch let's say.
It comes down to who you're in the hobby for - yourself or other people...
Matt
Matt
twhittle;3719192; said:
