Some things about fishkeeping that annoy me...

[Meld]

I've been reading through a ton of forums and have found lots of good information, but there has also been a ton of bad information out there.

I've read a lot of posts pertaining to channel cats, and ID cats and these posts are the ones that really irk me. I realize that there are a lot of experienced fish keepers out there that know the requirments of these fish, but there are a ton more that don't care, or buy them not researching these fish first. The channel cat especially. I know very little about this fish myself, but I do know that it can reach past 4 feet and needs a very large tank. What annoys me about the posts about these fish are that there are some people on this board that are keeping them in less then ideal conditions and they think it's ok to do so. If you have the proper tank or pond for these fish then by all means keep them, but if you don't, don't go out and buy them and then plan on giving them away. Some stores may take them back, but what happens if they don't? Are you going to just let the fish go? That is plainly irrisponsible fish ownership. In my mind if you are not prepared to keep the fish, or at least find a proper home for it in the end then you shouldn't buy it. I feel no sympathy for people who go out knowing they should research a fish then coming home with a rtc and then afterwards crying that "OMG I didn't know it got that big what am I going to do!" Sure everyone makes mistakes, as I have done in the past, but please think of the wellfare of these fish first before buying them. If you buy one not knowing how big they are, find a better home for it, or be prepared to buy a large tank for it. I think it's extremely cruel to house these fish in small aquariums and say "Oh these fish will only grow to the size of their tanks!" That's the biggest b/s I've ever heard in my life! Fish do NOT grow to the size of their tanks! They become stunted, their organs do not develop properly thus making them more susceptable to disease and a shortened lifespan.

Now on the topic of ID Shakrs/catfish, these are one fish I got sucked into buying when I was very very new to fishkeeping. I didn't have a clue as to how big they can get and what their requirments are. When I found out though I promptly returned the poor fish to the store because I was not able to house him properly. These fish are another fish that can grow to over a meter long and require a large tank. I've read posts on here where people are keeping them in 29-50 gallon aquariums. This is not proper for these fish! They need a lot of swimming room and are schooling fish. I've been in so many stores where the salesperson tells the customer that these fish will be fine in small aquariums, when that is so untrue! I've seen these fish bash themselves to death because of being in a small tank.

I'm sure that a lot of people don't do this intentionally to hurt the fish, but if they find out what their requirments are and are not prepared to do what it takes then they should not have the fish to begin with.

These are just a couple of fish that I think that should not be sold to the regular fish keeper. Why is that cats and dogs are protected under animal rights? but not fish? I will be so happy if the day ever comes when fish are also protected. I also wouldnt' be sad to see fish like bala sharks/id sharks or rtc's stop being sold in fishstores and only available to experienced fishkeepers through special order. If you know what you're doing and really want the fish bad enough you would go to the extra effort of getting them.

I don't buy the fact that some people say "well that wouldn't be fair to fishkeepers!" Why wouldn't it be? If you want them bad enough and know what you're doing then it's not that hard to order in a fish, also it's in the best interest of the fish. These fish should not just live for our whims and satisfaction, they should live because they are being treated and cared for properly.

We've gotten into the belief (or at least some people do) that fish are only there for our amusement, when in fact they should be treated just like any other animal. I love my fish and care for them as much as I love my other pets. I think everyone should do the same.

Sorry for the long rant!

[bluelights]

I love reading your posts. :)

[loonyeuny]

And I thought I Could go long... LOL J/K
You have a very good point. My family has had big fish before and your right they do take alot of work. My grandmother had a Osphernimse (sp?) Gourmi and when he died at 10years old he was 2 1/2 ft long and was over 27pounds. They also had an irredesent shark who is about 24in long. I know have a baby Ophernimse Gourmi who is less that 15in long and is fine in his 55gal for now. I am going to get a 180gal as I have been told that will be the biggest I would need for him. Altho I LOVE these fish I would never get another one as they can be kinda mean sometimes and very big. But I LOVE this fish because they are so friendly and LOVE people. My grandmothers and now mine does too would play with us. We put our hands in the water and he would come up and rub his body on our hands. My now also plays tag along the side of his tank. Mine also likes to play tag IN the water. I will run my hand inside his tank while he chases me then I will gently bumb his nose and he will shoot to the other end and behind a rock then come charging out at me again.
But like you think that these fish should not be sold to the normal fishkeeper because they are hard to care for and do need a BIG tank. They are a hardy fish and I have heard of people that could no longer keep them putting them into rivers and letting the go and that the live but I could NEVER do that to "Tiny" Hee hee like his name? I saw a info page about this fish that said "If kept in a small tank this fish will only get to be 3-5in." I emailed them and told them they were wrong and that they needed to take that down. E-mailed me back and said they would recheck their info source and make the changes.

Eunice :angel6:

[cinnyandsimon]

this post by meld is a very good post and should be admonished for what it is , a really good article . I heard earlier somewhere that some one was going to get a pacu , they too get really big .This person didn't know that and hopefully doesn't buy one. I always see these guys sold to poeple when they are still rather small at 2-3 inches , but pacus can get up to three feet long and up to 50lbs . people need to research the fish they intend to buy . FISH ARE NOT IMPULSE PURCHASES , they are a large investment , they are our pets , our friends , and sometimes they can save us from futures undesirable . In part , do you and your future fish a service and learn everything you can before you buy.

and as a secondary note i would like to ask Meld if i could use this article on a future site , you'd get full credit for it , i think it's an important message.