hard to keep fish?

should you buy a really hard to keep fish if you see it at your LFS???

  • Yes, but only if I have a large enough tank.

    Votes: 3 14.3%
  • Yes, I'me more capable than the majority of fishkeepers who do NO research.

    Votes: 6 28.6%
  • No, why waste my money?

    Votes: 5 23.8%
  • No, somebody else more expeirenced MIGHT take it.

    Votes: 7 33.3%

  • Total voters
    21
I think its kind of a silly question, because most of the hobbyests here will not buy a fish they just "see at the LFS". They'll research before they buy, thus know whether or not they can provide the care required for a particular species. I think its pretty stupid to buy a so-called 'hard to keep fish' (or ANY fish for that matter) without knowing anything about it first, and having that 'i can keep anything' attitude.

Also, what constitutes a "hard to keep" fish? I have seahorses, which by most counts are extremely difficult to keep, but with adaquate research they become quite easy.

Even if I see a most beautiful fish at the LFS, I wont buy it if I know its hard to keep. I think it just comes down to who has self control :D.


;)
-Diana
 
I was thinking more along the lines of you already have done research on the fish, but decided it would be a little to hard for you at the point in time, then gain experience with hardier species (such as clowns), then see the harder to keep fish at the LFS (maybe a regal angel), and judging by how a lot of people you see there just going by what the people who work there say, you think it will either end up being stunted or it would die from poor care, and you think at this point in time you are capable of taking care of the fish, would you (any one of the poll responses).

now that I think of it, it is a stupid question, and I should have worded it similar to the above.
 
I didn't vote as I don't like any of the answers. Just because you have a large tank doesn't mean you can keep hard fish. Also just because you do research doesn't mean you can keep it. Plus it HIGHLY depends on the species. Like I have great luck with Ribbon Eels, Seahorses, etc but doesn't mean I would go out and buy a hard to keep butterfly or something. I am picky about what species will work with so if it is a species I like then yes will buy it, if not then no. Anyway hope this helps and good luck!
 
if you can keep it, and have the resources (including tank Size and water quality and experience), then go for it
 
I didn't see the answer that I wanted:

"No, buying and selling really hard to keep fish is unethical and cruel. It should not be supported in any way and you should immediately complain to your LFS for ever stocking such a fish."
 
sooo... then you would think the selling of seahorses, discus, nugget plecos, and all other hard-to-keep fish unethical?

no, fish that are hard-to-keep usually just need specific conditions to thrive, provide these, and they are fine, i dont think that dork is buying a great white!

dork said that he did the reasearch, and if he can meet the conditions required, and is ready for whatever fish's needs that hes buying, then he should go for it!
 
I'm not referring to any fishkeeper in particular. I just realize that most really hard to keep fish die horrible deaths when purchased by the average fishkeeper.

I personally believe that any species that has shown, through years of experience, to be hard to keep, generally does not live a "good" life in an aquarium. If a fish cannot live something close to it's natural life-span in an aquarium, then I do not support it's sale or purchase.

Just because someone managed to keep a hard to keep species alive for a few years does not mean that fish was kept in a humane manner.

I'm just getting started back up again and I don't plan on keeping ANY fish considered hard to keep.

Just my personal feeling.

I just read this comment from an experienced fishkeeper concerning large Batfish. He said that he had to go through 5 Batfish before he finally found ONE that could survive. 5 fish died just so this guy could have one. I find that attitude sickening.

To me, it's not a matter of money, it's a matter of right or wrong.
 
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^^^ ahh now i understand your position and i agree, although i still will enjoy stuff like seaworld and such :rolleyes: (whales and dolphins there have about 10 less years than wild ones :eek: )
 
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