The "giving up fish guilt"

[ktluvsfish]

I tend to feel really guilty when I give up fish. I don't know a lot of fishkeepers in my area, so they tend to go to strangers, and I always wonder if they are being well taken care of. I have traded fish in to reputable LFS as well.

I just recently got rid of all of my African Cichlids. Some were sold on craigslist, and some were given to the LFS. It was really hard to do, but being in an apartment I have limited room, and I had really lost interest in Africans. There were still certain fish I was attached to though which made it really hard. But it was one of those things where I really felt I needed to move on to something else.

 

[Natural_Born_Killer]

^ I certainly understand that feeling - I live in a flat so having multiple tanks is just not really an option. Or at least upgrading to the sizes I'd like isn't...

Also the boyfriend doesn't really like the idea of having more than two tanks running. I even had to do the second one sneakily... but its only a 14g so its more for emergencies than anything else.

I'm still nervous to try selling the fish I have to get rid off... I'm just worried what type of people will take them. And I really don't have any friends that are into fish at all. None that even show interest in trying to be interested...

 

[sesquipedalianis]

i am VERY lucky to have a husband that is very supportive of my obbsession..he actually brought me my first 55 gallon, surprised me with my 90 gallon for christmas, and found my 150 on his 4-wheeler forum , and went and bought it for me...he brings me home new heaters,lights, and finds me awesome deals on fish..i have gotten some really good fish through him.he even bought a new shed around thanksgiving, and offered me his old one for a fishroom..so when it comes to the the "better halfs"i got me a keeper. but then he is into to 4wheelers and side by sides, so to beable to get for his hobby he has to let me get for mine

 

[RedH2O]

ironic a person with the name natural born killer would feel guilt. I have some guilt depends on this fish and how it was to keep. I would like to sell my oscar to open up my 75gal but just can't do it, because my girlfriend is rather fond of it. We grew it up from 1.5" to 9-10" now.

 

[ktluvsfish]

^ I certainly understand that feeling - I live in a flat so having multiple tanks is just not really an option. Or at least upgrading to the sizes I'd like isn't...

Also the boyfriend doesn't really like the idea of having more than two tanks running. I even had to do the second one sneakily... but its only a 14g so its more for emergencies than anything else.

I'm still nervous to try selling the fish I have to get rid off... I'm just worried what type of people will take them. And I really don't have any friends that are into fish at all. None that even show interest in trying to be interested...

I know exactly how you feel. I would see if there are any members of the forum that live in your area that you would be able to give your fish to. Also you might check and see if there is a fish club in your area. If there is, you at least would be able to make sure that your fish are going to an experienced home. None of my friends are even a little bit interested in fish either, so don't feel bad

 

[hairdog]

This is why I am so overstocked.

 

[Gobrian44]

well if you wanna do something new...get a new tank lol

 

[cichlidfish]

This is why I am so overstocked.

Yeah I can see how that can happen.

I still have my 1st cichlid after 11 years....

 

[Natural_Born_Killer]

i am VERY lucky to have a husband that is very supportive of my obbsession..he actually brought me my first 55 gallon, surprised me with my 90 gallon for christmas, and found my 150 on his 4-wheeler forum , and went and bought it for me...he brings me home new heaters,lights, and finds me awesome deals on fish..i have gotten some really good fish through him.he even bought a new shed around thanksgiving, and offered me his old one for a fishroom..so when it comes to the the "better halfs"i got me a keeper. but then he is into to 4wheelers and side by sides, so to beable to get for his hobby he has to let me get for mine

Thats really lucky!!

I think if we had more space my bf would be more understanding about me having more tanks... but in our flat he just doesn't want to feel like he is living in an aquarium...

ironic a person with the name natural born killer would feel guilt. I have some guilt depends on this fish and how it was to keep. I would like to sell my oscar to open up my 75gal but just can't do it, because my girlfriend is rather fond of it. We grew it up from 1.5" to 9-10" now.

I get extremely attached to those and animals I love... nbk yo anything or anyone who seems to be a predator them...

I know exactly how you feel. I would see if there are any members of the forum that live in your area that you would be able to give your fish to. Also you might check and see if there is a fish club in your area. If there is, you at least would be able to make sure that your fish are going to an experienced home. None of my friends are even a little bit interested in fish either, so don't feel bad

I've asked around about those that live in holland but there doesn't seem to be many of us and from what I saw (I could be wrong) they didn't seem to keep Cichlids...

But at least I've found some good LFS keepers that I would trust with my fish when and if I have to give them away.

This is why I am so overstocked.

LOL ... tell me about it! I'm the same, which is why I've decided over the next 10 months to save up enough to buy a bigger tank. This gives me time to grow out my juvies and have it all be ready by the time they'll probably outgrow my current tank...