So, we have a 180 gallon Cichlid community, mostly malawi Africans with a few blood parrots (Also one BP x FH and one BP x Texas) and a couple tin foil barbs. The set up works fine, the BP's all stick together in a group and have no trouble fending off the Africans in scuffles and the barbs are larger than everything else in the tank. My mother, whom bought the tank and while it is considered "her's" by her and any guests that come to our house, the overall maintenance falls to me. I've bought fish for it before, and had no trouble doing so. In all honesty, I have no trouble taking care of the tank either, it's a fun tank and I do enjoy taking time out of my day to watch it.
Now, I've been getting more comfortable in considering the tank more mine than her's, I buy the fish, change the water and filters, check the parameters, feed them a varied diet of foods that I pay for etc. My mother, though I love her dearly, has recently decided she needs a Cuban Cichlid for her tank. So, without consulting me or the internet, she goes to the nearest LFS, asks them for a Cuban Cichlid, and throws what she is given into the tank.
When I get home and start up my Wednesday water changes, I notice a new addition to the tank having my mom's Africans running for their life. I peer down into the small cave, currently inhabited by a fish that is about an inch longer than the other fish in the tank. Through some quick study, I realize my mom has purchased a Jaguar cichlid for the tank. I go to speak to her about and keeps denying it saying she had bought a Cuban and that "The man at the fish store told her so." After showing her pictures of juvenile Jaguars I finally have her convinced, so out of curiosity I ask her what she had paid for the Jag. A nice $25 for a 4inch Jag. While if it were actually a Cuban, it probably would have been a normal price for what you get around here however, Jags at this size tend to be no more than 7$.
While I love her, and knew she thought she was adding a fun addition to the tank,(One that I wouldn't have advised her to add anyway) sharing a tank with some one who doesn't really do their research or have the proper knowledge can get a little frustrating. I try and not act like a better than you snob about it, but dang does it get frustrating! In the end, sharing a tank with a casual can be a challenging, but never dull experience.
Sorry for boring you, just needed somewhere to put my thoughts on this matter. Lol
Now, I've been getting more comfortable in considering the tank more mine than her's, I buy the fish, change the water and filters, check the parameters, feed them a varied diet of foods that I pay for etc. My mother, though I love her dearly, has recently decided she needs a Cuban Cichlid for her tank. So, without consulting me or the internet, she goes to the nearest LFS, asks them for a Cuban Cichlid, and throws what she is given into the tank.
When I get home and start up my Wednesday water changes, I notice a new addition to the tank having my mom's Africans running for their life. I peer down into the small cave, currently inhabited by a fish that is about an inch longer than the other fish in the tank. Through some quick study, I realize my mom has purchased a Jaguar cichlid for the tank. I go to speak to her about and keeps denying it saying she had bought a Cuban and that "The man at the fish store told her so." After showing her pictures of juvenile Jaguars I finally have her convinced, so out of curiosity I ask her what she had paid for the Jag. A nice $25 for a 4inch Jag. While if it were actually a Cuban, it probably would have been a normal price for what you get around here however, Jags at this size tend to be no more than 7$.
While I love her, and knew she thought she was adding a fun addition to the tank,(One that I wouldn't have advised her to add anyway) sharing a tank with some one who doesn't really do their research or have the proper knowledge can get a little frustrating. I try and not act like a better than you snob about it, but dang does it get frustrating! In the end, sharing a tank with a casual can be a challenging, but never dull experience.
Sorry for boring you, just needed somewhere to put my thoughts on this matter. Lol
my tank (75) my stock (african cichlids with possible synos and/or a bichir)