What to do when unsure about what to keep?

[PYRU]

In all seriousness I've been in this position many times between work travel, hardships, etc.

It all comes down to what you find joy in. I've kept many kinds of fish over the yrs. Personally for me I found dwindling my tanks to what I really enjoy as made a world of difference.

I like oddballs myself specifically puffers. My main display I decided to go saltwater. My personal favorite is the porcupine puffer but decided to go with the wife's favorite the emp angel which I have to admit is a pretty b.a. fish. Making it a family affair is the key to longevity for me.

 

[RD.]

Regarding fancy goldfish, from a past discussion ....

A common mistake is to lump ALL species of goldfish into the same category. Most of the fancy species show their best growth, and color, in tropical temps. Many of the expert champion breeders raise the fancy breeds such as Ranchu, Lionhead, Oranda, etc at approx 78-80F. (at least for the first year)

Most goldfish will tolerate wide ranges in temperature, but any changes, either up or down, should be gradual.

Dr. Erik Johnson is a world renowned veterinarian with a clinical specialty in fish medicine, and speaks and conducts seminars throughout the USA. He is the author of Koi Health & Disease, and Fancy Goldfish - A complete Guide to Care and Collecting.


Here's what he has to say on the subject of goldfish, and temperature......


"The temperature at which we should house our goldfish collections is the subject of debate. While it's true that goldfish of most varieties are extremely adaptable to a wide range of temperatures, there is considerable evidence that goldfish do best in water in the mid to high seventies.

Different varieties of goldfish also demonstrate different degrees of adaptability to temperature. The hardiest varieties, including Comets, Shubunkins, and Wakins, will survive winter in North America unless the pond freezes solid. The more highly selected varieties such as Orandas, Ryukins, and Ranchus may survive a temperate winter in North America when left outside, but in my experience they do this with less and less success as they mature.

Goldfish will flourish in water occasionally as warm as 102 degrees if it is properly aerated. I have customarily kept goldfish of all varieties in water as warm as 90F during the summer, and I maintain that warmer water is actually better for goldfish. My fish have shown superior growth and appetite, and the biological filter has performed best at temperatures in the mid to high seventies.

My point is not that the majority of your fancy goldfish will fall ill or die if left outdoors, but that there will be a higher incident of illness among these fish than if they were maintained at balmy temperatures year round.

Hobbyists who keep their fish outdoors with water temperatures near the freezing point may contest this, but, based on my clinical experience, I disagree."

 

[Rafini]

Actually That's what I was thinking of keeping. Lionheads, Ryukin or maybe even the pearlscale.
You're right, I read they do best around 18-22 with well oxygenated water.
I was thinking that by simplifying I could potentially interest my fiancée in the hobby and focus on a specific group of fancys.
I like the thought of pumping a lot of time into something that grows slowly but becomes stunning over time.
It is also one of the main reasons why I like growing plants, My favorite so far is one of those Norfolk Island pines that walmart sell about 8" tall with Xmas decorations on them.
I received a dying on about 5 years ago and now its about 5' tall and shoots up another level once every 6 months, I'm very proud of my tree.

I hadn't given axolotls a thought, I was thinking about more of a paludarium type set up for a semi terrestrial species.

There's an auction this sunday? I had no idea so many users were from around Alberta

 

[Matteus]

Montgomery community hall. Viewing starts at 10-11. If you come check it out you may get some inspiration or even just some fair priced fancy’s.

My wife bid on a pair of angels at the last one and I still have one. Paid 8$ for a pair that were $16 each at Pisces.

 

[DRC]

Hello All, I've been keeping fish for the last 20 years continuously except for a short 8 month stint between moving countries. as with most here it all started with a goldfish and a tiny tank for an 8 year old. Growing up my dad had fancy goldfish, Koi which later grew into their pond and are still alive now. Then he got bit by the cichlid bug and kept Mbuna which progressed to Tangs, which then progressed to a marine Reef. I went from Goldfish, to Tanganyikan cichlids, to regular tropicals, to Mbuna, to marine, and then to american cichlids. The excitement that I felt at trying something new is all but gone because I seem to get nostalgic for a particular type of set up and then tire of it when I set it up again. I have done Mbuna several times and although nostalgic for them I Don't think I will try them again soon. In the last 5 years I embraced planted aquaria and have since found them to be just as time consuming and expensive as marine aquaria. I probably won't go planted again. For a while I had a planted SA cichlid tank with Geophagus and I found myself having to do water changes every few days to keep the quality up and as soon as I slacked I saw the fish get sick and fade away. I have always been drawn to oddballs, and I have kept several over the years. Currently I have group of Placidichromis Milomo and a few misc. cichlids in a 75 with sump. & a 120g with Severums, Electric Blue acara, a single Caquitaia Spectabilis and many small Steatocranus Casuarius (which I longed to keep and breed for many years, I have succeeded that goal) My point is this, I am about to get my first house and after shutting down my tanks, I will be setting them up within the next year or so. This gives me plenty of time to think about what I want to put in it. I have been doing a lot of thinking and a lot of research. I do have several ideas but more than anything I don't want to set something up only to feel myself not enjoying it. Back to basics with fancy goldfish? try something more niche and different, a break? I'm unsure what would be a good idea. I really liked the idea of going with something room temperature but I'm not sold on that. What have other members here done when this inevitable slump in their fish keeping hits them? I have read about it before but I just wondered how other people figured it out. FYI, I live in Canada where we have no online fish retailers and native keeping is provincially illegal in AB. Thanks in advance, Rafini

Hello All, I've been keeping fish for the last 20 years continuously except for a short 8 month stint between moving countries. as with most here it all started with a goldfish and a tiny tank for an 8 year old. Growing up my dad had fancy goldfish, Koi which later grew into their pond and are still alive now. Then he got bit by the cichlid bug and kept Mbuna which progressed to Tangs, which then progressed to a marine Reef. I went from Goldfish, to Tanganyikan cichlids, to regular tropicals, to Mbuna, to marine, and then to american cichlids. The excitement that I felt at trying something new is all but gone because I seem to get nostalgic for a particular type of set up and then tire of it when I set it up again. I have done Mbuna several times and although nostalgic for them I Don't think I will try them again soon. In the last 5 years I embraced planted aquaria and have since found them to be just as time consuming and expensive as marine aquaria. I probably won't go planted again. For a while I had a planted SA cichlid tank with Geophagus and I found myself having to do water changes every few days to keep the quality up and as soon as I slacked I saw the fish get sick and fade away. I have always been drawn to oddballs, and I have kept several over the years. Currently I have group of Placidichromis Milomo and a few misc. cichlids in a 75 with sump. & a 120g with Severums, Electric Blue acara, a single Caquitaia Spectabilis and many small Steatocranus Casuarius (which I longed to keep and breed for many years, I have succeeded that goal) My point is this, I am about to get my first house and after shutting down my tanks, I will be setting them up within the next year or so. This gives me plenty of time to think about what I want to put in it. I have been doing a lot of thinking and a lot of research. I do have several ideas but more than anything I don't want to set something up only to feel myself not enjoying it. Back to basics with fancy goldfish? try something more niche and different, a break? I'm unsure what would be a good idea. I really liked the idea of going with something room temperature but I'm not sold on that. What have other members here done when this inevitable slump in their fish keeping hits them? I have read about it before but I just wondered how other people figured it out. FYI, I live in Canada where we have no online fish retailers and native keeping is provincially illegal in AB. Thanks in advance, Rafini

Have you tried brackish water fish? A lot of odd but cool fish: puffers, archers, various gobbies, scats, monos, columbian sharks etc. The water parameters will change with age so maybe that could extend the challenge for you. Also can you imagine some archers shooting bugs off of protruding branches? I wouldn’t think that would get boring quickly.

 

[PYRU]

That's a cool idea. They have full freshwater archers as well. The name escapes me atm.

 

[Matteus]

That could go with the palidarium idea

 

[Rafini]

Have you tried brackish water fish? A lot of odd but cool fish: puffers, archers, various gobbies, scats, monos, columbian sharks etc. The water parameters will change with age so maybe that could extend the challenge for you. Also can you imagine some archers shooting bugs off of protruding branches? I wouldn’t think that would get boring quickly.

Nice idea, I did briefly look after a brackish set up for a friend and it was awesome. I just feel like Archers, Monos & scats would definitely need a 6' footprint though.

My only aprehension would be screwing around with salt and SG again, thats not my most favorite activity lol.

Matteus, I went to the aquaticon last year. the first one. Man it was great, I got some red angels & steatocranus casuarius for about 1/10 of Pisces prices lol

 

[Coryloach]

I never fully lost interest in fish. I've kept several different types of pets but I am drawn to fish like a magnet. I can't help it.

However, my interest over the years has shifted mostly in how to keep fish rather than what fish I keep. So that would be my suggestion, take time to learn what provides the best environment in aquariums for fish, then learn the requirements for particular fish species and go from there. I find it interesting developing theories based on science, other's people experience, etc...then apply that knowledge to your tanks and see where you got it right or wrong..hopefully mostly right, lol.

Haha, from what i've seen on here you could do with some of your "medicinal herb" when you and Coryloach go toe to toe.

Maybe I need that magical "medicinal herb"
By the way, I have great respect for RD. He's an encyclopedia in human form

 

[Rafini]

+1 on the respect for RD!

That's the thing Coryloach, I haven't lost my interest. I just can't say for sure I want to keep any of the fish I've kept over the last 10 years again.
You're essentially talking about recreating an environment, kind of like a terrarium? and then in turn select your species based on the environment you want to create.

That's an interesting concept. I dramatically underestimated planted aquariums. Everyone seems to have beautiful thick lush jungles and the more I tried the more I failed until I realized that most of these people were using ferts and CO2 and stocking species specifically that won't damage their plants.
Planted aquariums are kind of like 'reef' aquariums, you can't go half in, you either have one or you have a somewhat failing algae ridden mess.
I have no desire to dose ferts & have a dirted tank and CO2 reactor etc.
Green tanks always look nicer though right? they always appear more natural.

Maybe I should look into some biotopes with little vegetation. I do have a lot of wood, & I live very close to a natural area.