TFH's Species to Avoid

[krzr3000]

To understand the list you have to see who they are targeting it at. Which still doesn't make much sense. It seems to be directed at people who just set up their first 10g tank. Why they would make such a list is kind of weird.

But working at an LFS...lists like this are great. There is a book that has been out for a while "best freshwater fish and 33 species to avoid." Its great to pull out when someone wants to cram a silver dollar in a small tank, by a bichir for a community tank, or doubt the max size of something.

...it has its purpose, although the people who need that info are the ones who are information-phobic.

 

[krzr3000]

aaargh, each one is a paragraph

but i'll give a few...

Pike cichlids: Pike cichlids are fascinating South American fishes best left to cichlid specialists. Many get quite large and extremely predatory and, because it is difficult to differentiate between the species, it is often impossible to know what you are getting (P_P would love this last part )

Bichir: Although appealing when young, many of the African species (**my comment: aren't they all african?) turn into large, aggressive and predatory fishes with sharp teeth. They are escape artists and have also been known to attack the hands of their owners.

Fei Feng: Although an eyecatcher when young, the Flagtail Prochilodus soon becomes a large, hyperative fish that is definitely one of the best jumpers of all the tropical fishes. It can leave a typical community aquarium in ruins.

Datnoid: Although the typical specimens seen in aquarium stores are large and attractive, these Asian fishes become large and greedy predators. Many require brackish water, and are definitely not suitable for a tropical community setting.

Columbian Shark: These are brackish to marine species that will require increasing amounts of salt in the water as they grow. They grow rapidly and become predatory. Even small specimens will rip the scales of other fishes.

That list seems ridiculous to us...but to a customer insisting on one of these for their small community tank the list is a great backup. Especially the columbian sharks and poly's. Believe it or not many people do not take max sizes to be the truth.

 

[cichlaguapote]

Wow, they must keep really boring tanks.

lol I thought the same thing.. but then I reminded myself it's not in TFH itself but a book that's free..


If it was in TFH I would feel bad.. but I don't feel as bad because it's in a seperate beginners book that came free.. They're trying to keep noobs out of bad situations. Although I think someone needs to rewrite that info, go more in depth.

 

[JD_MAN]

Good...cause that means more for us!

 

[Kilbane]

It's a subliminal PETA list.

 

[LextacySC]

I would of thought Astronotus Ocellatus would of been on the list. Every LFS carries them and and not all of the others. They are also one of the most abused, because people don't know how big they get.

Bad list for MFK, but good for novices IMO. You've got to admit that its better than Wally World or PetsMarts imformation tags.

 

[balton777]

The list was obviously compiled for inexperienced hobbyists who don't know much about different species of fish yet. Most of us MFK'ers are far above and beyond the advice given in the book so it doesn't pertain to us.

 

[tropheus]

wow , as said though why stop at them, for beginers there are loads of other fish that are just as bad as thoose on the list , what about spiney or so called freshwater moray eels , freshwater lionfish , they mention asian tigarfish but no mention of african tigarfish, also silver arowanas are out but aussie and asian arrows are in, how about a nice alligator gar , and looks like theres only a couple of cats you shouldnt be keeping reds and tsn ,so i suppose gulper cats are fine , i just think if your going to do a list at all at least make it a comprehensive list , really its best left for a book listing all fish and the pros and cons of each . would love to here some more of the reasons , who is the book by?

 

[artemis1]

To understand the list you have to see who they are targeting it at. Which still doesn't make much sense. It seems to be directed at people who just set up their first 10g tank. Why they would make such a list is kind of weird.

But working at an LFS...lists like this are great. There is a book that has been out for a while "best freshwater fish and 33 species to avoid." Its great to pull out when someone wants to cram a silver dollar in a small tank, by a bichir for a community tank, or doubt the max size of something.

...it has its purpose, although the people who need that info are the ones who are information-phobic.

Same thirty three as are in the book i think. Don't know why they put in in TFG

Good guide for newbies though.

 

[MommyJulia]

the list was pretty funny. I am fairly new and even I laugh at that. That's almost as ridiculous as this guy who told me that snails are hard to keep...reg freshwater snails.