Why?

[Gourami Swami]

While I do agree that most, if not all, fish would benefit from living in a gigantic tank, my only problem with that logic is that it's not realistic. most people can't have a 500+ gallon tank. Hell, even a 500 gallon tank would be the size of a rut on the side of the road, compared to the fish's natural habitat. I have also snorkeled with JD's in the cenotes of the Yucatan, and have seen that they swim free and defend areas much larger than the common in-home aquarium.
I think that as fishkeepers, our responsibility is to do the best that we can. If a 75 gallon tank is the best that we can do, I think we should pick fish that can live comfortably in that size tank. People tend to have differing opinions on what is comfortable, so In my opinion, the general consensus of experienced fishkeepers (no fish larger than 12") should be followed. Is the fish going to enjoy living in this space as much as it would a beautiful cenote in mexico? probably not. But prior to this 75 gallon, all the fish probably knew was a crowded 10-30 gallon in a pet store.
The argument could be made that fish should not be kept in glass boxes at all. My position on this is that whether you like it or not, the fish are in the trade, and are better off with an experienced fishkeeper in a "properly sized" (still too small depending on where you draw the line) tank, than in a small newbie setup. Especially when it comes to jack dempseys, Oscars, etc.

 

[AquaAlex1993]

While I do agree that most, if not all, fish would benefit from living in a gigantic tank, my only problem with that logic is that it's not realistic. most people can't have a 500+ gallon tank. Hell, even a 500 gallon tank would be the size of a rut on the side of the road, compared to the fish's natural habitat. I have also snorkeled with JD's in the cenotes of the Yucatan, and have seen that they swim free and defend areas much larger than the common in-home aquarium.
I think that as fishkeepers, our responsibility is to do the best that we can. If a 75 gallon tank is the best that we can do, I think we should pick fish that can live comfortably in that size tank. People tend to have differing opinions on what is comfortable, so In my opinion, the general consensus of experienced fishkeepers (no fish larger than 12") should be followed. Is the fish going to enjoy living in this space as much as it would a beautiful cenote in mexico? probably not. But prior to this 75 gallon, all the fish probably knew was a crowded 10-30 gallon in a pet store.
The argument could be made that fish should not be kept in glass boxes at all. My position on this is that whether you like it or not, the fish are in the trade, and are better off with an experienced fishkeeper in a "properly sized" (still too small depending on where you draw the line) tank, than in a small newbie setup. Especially when it comes to jack dempseys, Oscars, etc.

Now we are talking. I agree wholeheartedly with you. Most of the fish in the hobby are tankraised now a days and don't even know what life is like in the wild.
So in that regard, we must provide them a great life. We can do that by providing the biggest tank possible, doing frequent water changes and feedings, having good filteration and making sure your water is where it needs too be.

 

[BIG-G]

I just hate to see someone get the fish first then worry about the tank.
Like as already been stated lots of times that bigger tank never comes!

 

[Hendre]

This is why research is critical. I can't afford large tanks so I decided to keep what would supposedly fit which is different in everyone's books. I have a fish that could potentially reach 14" and I only have a 75. What I do know is that it can take many years to reach that size and by then I will be in a more suitable situation to house it or I can rehome it to a friend who has many suitable tanks and will happily take it in.

I have come to realise now that a fishes needs come first before what you want. If only everyone could do so and look at the fish size and the tank size needed for a somewhat healthy fish

 

[BIG-G]

I fall into this myself really. I have two festae that are somewhere are 13. 14+ inches (guessing )
They have a 6 ft 220 but that's really not big enough. I would like to see them in an 8ft tank at least.

 

[Toiletcar]

I just hate to see someone get the fish first then worry about the tank.
Like as already been stated lots of times that bigger tank never comes!

A lot of people say they start with the "grow out tank", and get the larger tank later. I think that is BS. Like you said, that tank never comes. Only situation where you need a grow out tank is if a fish is too small for a bigger tank's stock.
This is why the biggest fish I have in my 6' 150g stays under 10" full grown. Most others under 6". I won't get any species that gets bigger. I had a 13" v. Melanura in there, but felt the tank was not adiquate. I guess it could be worse, but I was happy to rehome that fish to someone who had a much larger tank. I am sure that fish is much happier.
I also see a lot people don't quarantine their fish and wonder why they have parasites and disease. Not quarantining your fish is a sure way to ask for problems.

 

[Hendre]

A lot of people say they start with the "grow out tank", and get the larger tank later. I think that is BS. Like you said, that tank never comes. Only situation where you need a grow out tank is if a fish is too small for a bigger tank's stock.
This is why the biggest fish I have in my 6' 150g stays under 10" full grown. Most others under 6". I won't get any species that gets bigger. I had a 13" v. Melanura in there, but felt the tank was not adiquate. I guess it could be worse, but I was happy to rehome that fish to someone who had a much larger tank. I am sure that fish is much happier.
I also see a lot people don't quarantine their fish and wonder why they have parasites and disease. Not quarantining your fish is a sure way to ask for problems.

I'd only use growout if I already have the tank ready for the fish long term

 

[duanes]

A 500 gal tank is a puddle for many fish, but it may a puddle where cohabitation of certain species is possible without aggression. I have tried to keep certain cichlids, sometimes of only a foot in length in 500 gallons, and they killed each other.
When you find a 50 gallon puddle in nature, it usually means any and all fish in it, will soon be dead unless a monsoon is on the way, or they are killifish.
And I agree with RD that people seem to want, and are satisfied with minimum.
But is minimum realistic for a community, especially a community of sizable or territorial species. Maybe one fish or a pair (maybe)
I had a pair of Nosferatu bartoni, lived comfortably spawning 3 times, in a 100 gal tank, never a problem.
I gave them to another club member, who thought, because they were only 5" or so, they could be kept in a 55 gal, within 24hours of giving them away, the female was dead.
Soon after many questions about minimum tank size, the follow up question often is....why are my fish killing each other, or diseased.
When I was a kid, zoos kept big cats like jaguars or lions in 40 foot cages, but somewhere along the way, zoos became enlightened.
Just because we want a big fish, are we enlightened by putting them in a puddles, or are we delusional.

 

[jaws7777]

I can sort of agree with op. But not on all accounts.

I do think there is allot of "look how smart i am" going on tho. Some members have been in the game for along time and can walk the walk.


You see this allot with filtration and compatibility questions
I have no problem reaponding to something that i havent done or a species i havent kept but i think its important to state "hey i never kept x fish" or "ive never done that myself" it gives the op the understanding that your advise IS TO BE TAKEN with a grain of salt. I have no problem taggong people to better answer a question or even start threads for members.

Of course spme questions are black and white....no you cant keep and aro in a 55 but some members newer to the hobby that may look on google for an answer then regurgitate that answer have no idea if the info is accurate...so yeah they should state where the got the info from.


Or the classic yeah i have x fish with x fish amd everything is fine....only to find out that they've been kept together for 1 months.


1st hand experience trumps google all day any day.

 

[jaws7777]

I'd only use growout if I already have the tank ready for the fish long term

Other side of that is... it doesnt make sense to grow out a a 2 or 3 ft fish in a monster tank when the fish is only a few inches. Everyrhing is relative