I have a big fish, something that doesn't make sense.

[Eupterus]

Ok, maybe this is a pet peeve of mine. To me if you say you have a big (fill in the blank fish here), it means your fish is bigger then average. At least that's how it comes across to me. If someone says I have a huge house-cat, I expect a larger then average house-cat right?...
I don't expect someone to say; I have a huge cat and then present a kitten not even fully grown yet.

Yet that's exactly what many people with fish seem to say.
So why does someone say I have a huge pacu. Then they say their pacu is 14" long. That's a not a huge pacu, it's a small pacu. It doesn't make sense to me.

For instance, what if someone was talking about their huge betta.
You'd expect to see a betta who had grown larger then an average betta right?. Then they say their betta is 1/2" long. What?!....that's not even a fully grown betta...THAT'S A SMALL BETTA!....sheesh.

[jm1212]

to some people, a 14 inch fish is huge...

[Coler]

I hope you're not losing sleep over this...

[jpappy789]

to some people, a 14 inch fish is huge...

to me it is:grinyes:

[BigFishKeeper]

what is this thread about?

[black_sun]

I would think people are just going by what they think is "huge" and not what may be huge to the species. I mean, irrespective of the species... a 14in fish is huge (it's something I'd be hoping was on the end of my fishing line, heh). And for the betta thing, meh, some people are just weird. It's not worth getting riled up over.

[briggadane]

I think when it comes to tropical fish, you have two ways of thinking. Your right about the big fish that is oversize for its kind. But in tank fish, a big fish keeper is generally recognized for fish that REQUIRE a tank of 75G or greater. It has more to do with that is commonly sold at stores, I think. Stores will generally only stock small size fish, to allow greater turn over. So those of us with with "big fish" either had to dedicate the time and attention to providing a young fish the opportunity to grow, or we had to have a fish supplier special order the fish we want/order it shipped. The options are risky. So those who have big fish have generally put a bit more effort into something than those with smaller, easier to raise/find fish. Dont get me wrong, you can somethimes h from someone who grew it up, and you take over- thats nice for both parties. But the person taking it will have to provide for the greater size/conditions. Your AVERAGE fish keeper sticks to fish in tanks below 75G.

[SpockthePuffer]

anything over like, 5 inches, is big to me but I guess thats just cause all my fish are still small, though I do have some that have the potential to get big.

[Coler]

what is this thread about?

You're not saying its pointless or anything are you :rofl:

I believe Eupterus is sharing some thoughts with us.

[Hooked Newbie]

I think it's usually in relation to what is commonly seen. Huge (Monster) fish to me are fish that need 100G + tanks. That said alot of people refer to "huge" in relation to what they see in their LFS. My full grown Gourami look "huge" in comparison to the size they're sold at, etc.

Why's it bother you?

[The Zigman]

While a 14 inch Pacu isnt HUGE for a Pacu, it is not small..
thats like saying a 6' reefshark is small...

personally , it doesnt matter to me whatcha got, as long as I know what I gave, its all good.

you sleepin ok man?

[cam191919]

its not to the max size that i compare fish to, its bigger compared to the smaller fish i know so well.

[mavisky]

a 14" pacu in a 10 gallon tank is huge, a 14" pacu in a 10,000 gallon natural display at the zoo is unnoticed.

[emptywallet]

yeah huge to me is bigger then 10 inches lol

[captaincaveman9]

They do make med to help you sleep........ and I dont have any huge fish unless you consider slightly well fed :D

[Lupin]

I wonder why we even have "giant" bettas (not the marine betta, of course).

[Lady G]

I see what you are saying in "theroy" but to most ppl a 14" anything is huge. When the average aquarium fish ppl see is like 6", they tend to think anything over that is huge. I know when ppl see my 10" Oscar and my 12" Pauc...they are like OMG those are HUGE!!! Now if they weren't in there, I'm sure ppl would think my RD/Midas are big..but next to the Pacu, they are not. Most do not think of how big the fish "can" get but how big it is.:perv:

[bluekrissyspike]

well i think my lungfish is huge but he still has another foot or so to grow because he is just over 2' long. everyone who sees him thinks he's enormous.