I'm still about, only been here since 2011 tho iirc, has it changed that much? Face book is to blame imo and the fact that most youngsters don't have hobbies anymore, it's all about tinder rather than being loyal and filling your time with enjoyable pass times.
Older Members
- Thread starter TheCanuck
- Start date
I've been here since 2005. I do miss the good ole days
Im not as old as a lot of these senior citizens but its slowed down a lot even since I was a new member. I remember having almost instant responses and that almost never happens anymore. The overall quality of threads seems down too. More "how many fish can I keep in my 6,000 gallon dream tank that I'm buying in another decade" and such. Its kinda pointless to come on anymore with the headhunters and lack of invigorating content. People like diesel hybrid and Vincent make it worth it to come on and watch their bloodlines evolve but I find myself coming here less and less. Anyways, I'll come back and check in but I don't know if the forum will even be running in a few years given the downward spiral its in right now.
This makes me so sad. I took a year or 2 break from the hobby when life got in the way. I set the tank up again to get my 2 yr old interested. I came back here and I'm saddened by what it is now. It's not just here, it's forums all over the net. Facebook and reddit have all but killed small and specialty forums.
I agree that FB has played a huge part in killing off some forums but this site seems to be chugging along.I can't predict how much longer this great forum will be around as that is mostly up to the members.
It would benefit from more participation in the way of new posts and threads.This thread reminds me of another that was started a few months ago and like this one it also had members bellyaching and complaining about other members who are no longer around and about quality of thread content.All each member needs to do is contribute with their own material and the site should be fine.I notice a few new members doing their part.....they "get it" lol.
I think fish keeping might just be overwhelming to most people, and the internet helps people realize that before they've actually bought a fish. It used to be that most people got into the hobby by going into a pet store, picking out a fish they like, and then taking the store employees' crappy over-simplified advice on how to care for it. Then, when the fish is dying, they'd learn about proper husbandry the hard way, out of necessity. These days people are more likely to get proper information from the start via the internet, but I don't think most people want to have to take a biology lesson just to be able to keep a pet, so they might decide that fish just aren't for them, and never give the hobby a chance.
There are multiple reasons the hobby isnt as popular.
Most people who have had a tank, usually 10 or 20 gallons, let's call them casuals. Most casuals quit after their tank goes green with algae and their fish die. The hobby takes to much time and effort for them.
Next there arent anywhere near the number of fish stores as there were in the 80s and even 90s. The US unemployment rate went up and internet business took off and it hurt the hobby. Most people dont know you can order fish online and shipping prices scare people away.
Most people who have had a tank, usually 10 or 20 gallons, let's call them casuals. Most casuals quit after their tank goes green with algae and their fish die. The hobby takes to much time and effort for them.
Next there arent anywhere near the number of fish stores as there were in the 80s and even 90s. The US unemployment rate went up and internet business took off and it hurt the hobby. Most people dont know you can order fish online and shipping prices scare people away.
Fishkeeping has always been a niche hobby, but let's break it down.
First most people who keep fish, lets call them casuals, typically start out with 10 or 20 gal tanks, betta bowls, and the rare occasion will have a 55 gal. I'd say anyone with a 75 or larger is a bit more dedicated. These people will overstock their tank with fish that shouldn't even be kept in these tank sizes. After a couple months of overfeeding and leaving the lights on their tank goes green, all their fish die and they are done with it, forever. They think it's some kind of magic to keep a tank alive. These people all will say that keeping a tank takes way too much effort.
Second, the hobby has died off a lot. For 1 the US unemployment rate went up and we dipped into a mini recession. There are only a fraction of LFS now compared to the 80's and 90's. Part of that is also to blame on internet business. When times get hard, hobbies, luxuries and novelties go first. So fishkeeping went bye bye. Most casuals either don't know you can order fish online, or they can't stomach the cost of shipping.
We are a rarity here, most people don't have a 75 or 180 gal tank let alone hundreds of gallons filled with rare fish. I don't really know if there is a fix. I understand this hobby has a steep learning curve. It's not like keeping hampsters, cats and dogs where all you really have to do is feed them. If your fish gets sick you can't take it to a vet, give it a shot, and take it home all healthy. All we can hope to do is reach out to our kids and young ones, educate them and get them hooked at a young age. Like I said in an earlier post I stepped otu of the hobby when my son was born. 2 years later I set it back up, took him fish shopping and found things he was interested in. Now we sit together for at least an hour a day in front of the tank watching it. My dad got me hooked at a very young age, and I hope I can pass this very special hobby on to him.
First most people who keep fish, lets call them casuals, typically start out with 10 or 20 gal tanks, betta bowls, and the rare occasion will have a 55 gal. I'd say anyone with a 75 or larger is a bit more dedicated. These people will overstock their tank with fish that shouldn't even be kept in these tank sizes. After a couple months of overfeeding and leaving the lights on their tank goes green, all their fish die and they are done with it, forever. They think it's some kind of magic to keep a tank alive. These people all will say that keeping a tank takes way too much effort.
Second, the hobby has died off a lot. For 1 the US unemployment rate went up and we dipped into a mini recession. There are only a fraction of LFS now compared to the 80's and 90's. Part of that is also to blame on internet business. When times get hard, hobbies, luxuries and novelties go first. So fishkeeping went bye bye. Most casuals either don't know you can order fish online, or they can't stomach the cost of shipping.
We are a rarity here, most people don't have a 75 or 180 gal tank let alone hundreds of gallons filled with rare fish. I don't really know if there is a fix. I understand this hobby has a steep learning curve. It's not like keeping hampsters, cats and dogs where all you really have to do is feed them. If your fish gets sick you can't take it to a vet, give it a shot, and take it home all healthy. All we can hope to do is reach out to our kids and young ones, educate them and get them hooked at a young age. Like I said in an earlier post I stepped otu of the hobby when my son was born. 2 years later I set it back up, took him fish shopping and found things he was interested in. Now we sit together for at least an hour a day in front of the tank watching it. My dad got me hooked at a very young age, and I hope I can pass this very special hobby on to him.
despite only being a short term member of approx 4 years, there has definitely been a shift; and I'd pinpoint it to when the forum went down for a few months for whatever reason; when it re-emerged, it was pretty much by previous members randomly checking, but I'm guessing others may have just assumed it to be gone for good.
Also the like button features etc, as mentioned by Krich; promote an easy way to get your opinion across with no effort (I'm guilty of this), rather than typing an opinion as previous.
Lastly, FB has really taken off in terms of fishkeeping groups, I admin for one here in Scotland; and it just represents an easy outlet for people.
Also the like button features etc, as mentioned by Krich; promote an easy way to get your opinion across with no effort (I'm guilty of this), rather than typing an opinion as previous.
Lastly, FB has really taken off in terms of fishkeeping groups, I admin for one here in Scotland; and it just represents an easy outlet for people.
