Monster Fish collection change of heart

[doviiman]

Putting price tags on this hobby can be very dangerous to your happiness. When I buy a fish I write off whatever I spent on it and if I ever see that money again that is a bonus. Just treat it like gambling if you can't afford to lose don't play.

I remember the first time I bought a fsih over 100 dollars it was an african tiger fish and for three days I was paranoid and watched it like a hawk lol

Now we won't talk about what I am willing to spend on fish

1+ So true!
I started off with a 20gal and a jack Dempsey from a local pet shop at $2.99, many many years ago, added an oscar for 9.99 and thought that was it for me I was in the big leagues. 30 years later I have been through all types of fish and sizes from 10 gallon to my newest project of 800 gallons, not to mention when you pay a lot for a fish and its dies, its almost makes you want another one to get over the feeling of defeat. And I too have crossed the limits in spending on a fish that would make my friend say, have you lost your mind! Yet when they come over to visit they can't leave the fist tank area. This hoby like all other are going to be a waste of money if you are counting pennies and worried about the loss. (Is there any hobby that's not). If you think this is expensinve and nerve racking, try Drag racing motorcycyles for a hobby with out many sponsor
I say chalk it up to the part of life that's called living a little so you have no regrets about not doing or getting something and feeling unfulfilled.

 

[Redearsunfish]

Do what makes you happy. You can find inner peace with this hobby, but getting there may be a long and winding (and sometimes bumpy road). But you can get there.

 

[JC_P]

I used to keep different species of "piranha", but it got old pretty fast..

 

[bosanova]

Well said. It's the passion that counts, not the literal monster factor of the fishes and aquariums.

huh ,that is probably why the op is afflicted right now,not paying attention to really what this site is about ,we all know about the goldfish in the jar syndrome it never really grows to be the anticipated monster ,this site was called monster for a purpose and those of us that remain true to its meaning will never feel defeated,having a million little fish do not make up for one monster ,if its common, cheap,and has no potential of becoming a monster someday it certainly will lose its luster shortly ,i am talking in the true sense of the real monster fish keeper, just may be the op is one of those but hass failed to listen to his calling hence the feeling of dejection and lack of zest ,Consolidate if you still have it in you and go for the kill, some of us can only play well when we are on top ... just sayin PS, for some, true monsters grow to 6feet and over, sometimes money really make the difference.

 

[ExtraMe]

my bro and i started with a handful of monster fishes. 2 Channa Micro, 4 Channa Pleuro, 1 Channa Maruloides, 1 RTC, 1 TSN, 3 gars, a couple of Pangasius and a few breeding big size tilapias all in different monster tanks. like the TS, i felt the tight squeeze on my wallet so i decided to get rid of some of my monster. now we still have all the tanks minus the fish hehe. we're left with 1 Channa Micro so we could still have the thrill of watching it destroy some tilapias we keep. Made money out of the C. Pleuro and Maruloides. ate 1 of the C. Micro (it jumped out of its tank, so better not waste), still have the RTC and TSN which are controlling the population of the Tilapias and the G. Gourami is with my special survivor gar.. (went through a lot in its life with me haha)

trained all of them to eat dead frozen food. i feed my micro scraps of meat left over from dinner. and all my tanks are low maintenance.
now im into planted tank which is the most low maintenance of all my tanks. just top off and every 3 months water change or when i feel like it haha sometimes i fall asleep in front of it i like to look at it and how different kinds of fish interact and how some shoal together. we are also planning to convert one of the monster tanks into a monster planted tank!
for me i think the trick is to have at least a tank for monsters and a few tanks for planted and small schooling fish that way you wont get bored

 

[aclockworkorange]

huh ,that is probably why the op is afflicted right now,not paying attention to really what this site is about ,we all know about the goldfish in the jar syndrome it never really grows to be the anticipated monster ,this site was called monster for a purpose and those of us that remain true to its meaning will never feel defeated,having a million little fish do not make up for one monster ,if its common, cheap,and has no potential of becoming a monster someday it certainly will lose its luster shortly ,i am talking in the true sense of the real monster fish keeper, just may be the op is one of those but hass failed to listen to his calling hence the feeling of dejection and lack of zest ,Consolidate if you still have it in you and go for the kill, some of us can only play well when we are on top ... just sayin PS, for some, true monsters grow to 6feet and over, sometimes money really make the difference.

Pretty strong words from someone who's only been on MFK a few months... Thanks for the psychological analysis though.

 

[Allan01230]

Because this site isn't strictly for keeping monster fish. It is about every day fish keepers that have a monster passion for the hobby.

Thank You Pharoah you took the words out of my mouth. "Monster" can be 7.5 inches as my grammodes can prove to you,doesn't neccesarily have to be a 4 ft. RTC.

 

[pacu mom]

MFK website has this welcome statement:

Welcome to Monster Fish Keepers
The members of this forum have come together to share our knowledge and experiences of fish keeping. We want to answer your questions, offer advice and fill the galleries with pictures of the fish we have all grown to love.

We are a unique community of Fish Keepers who seriously take our hobby to extremes and the NEXT level. The majority of our fish collections include RARE & EXOTIC Species of all sizes, BIG FISH with BIG APPETITES and BIG TANKS. It's not easy for most people or other "regular" fish keepers to understand why we maintain this type of collection and spare no expense on this fascinating hobby."

Perhaps this was a true statement when MFK was founded. I believe the majority is now the minority on MFK, which is why the current majority define MFK by "passion" and not "big".

 

[JayJardini]

Do what makes you happy. You can find inner peace with this hobby, but getting there may be a long and winding (and sometimes bumpy road). But you can get there.

I agree with you, there is innerpeace in fish keeping, as long as your fishes are being well fed and living in their most natural envioronment. It can be an abundant of joy in happiness. Its like Karma if your sad and not taking good care of your fish tank then your fish will be effected by your energy reaction. If your treating your fishes good then your fishes will be good back to you. Keeping the energy balance is key!

 

[phillydog1958]

I think you need a break. If you're not enjoying it, it can be harmful to you.