Approach to irresponsible fishkeepers

I'd be careful about being "holier than thou" with respect to fishkeeping.


I've seen people complain about the size of fish tank, yet live with a dog or cat in the city. The keep birds in cages and do not let them fly free.


This is a very grey area and you may find yourself losing the contest of moral superiority.

I think it depends on how the particular person views his/her fish. If they are a "fish as decoration" sort of person you will probably get nowhere trying to explain anything. However, if the person genuinely cares about the animals, they are probably doing things wrong out of ignorance and would welcome advice to keep their fishy firends happy.

Still an interesting question. I have to say that since I began keeping fish again I do not know anyone else that keeps them. I first started keeping tropical fish when i was 15 and i remember back then visiting an aunts house and the tank was filthy. It was about 2 feet long and so green with algae and sludge you could barely see the sole occupier, a red tailed black shark. Her husband had lost interest and they were just waiting for the fish to die so they could "get rid!" Back then i felt deeply sad for the fish but was power less to do anything. These days instead of pouring scorn where it would do no good I think i would offer to rehouse the fish myself.

psilo said:

These days instead of pouring scorn where it would do no good I think i would offer to rehouse the fish myself.

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best idea I'vew heard all day!


:thm:

The last time I faced this it was a betta (those poor things) and happily when I mentioned the fish looked bored, the person gave me the opening of replying that the fish was BORING and they were thinking of getting rid of it. I then explained that they are much more active and colorful when they're in a larger tank with decorations etc. The next day I sprung for a five gallon tank and a bit of gravel. Once she saw the fish exploring the tank, she was hooked. Within a week she'd bought a couple fake plants and a rock to "fill up the tank", then a snail..then she decided to spring for the filter and heater.

The trick really is to figure out why they aren't doing what they should and push the positives of changing their behavior.

The betta in a bigger bowl is more interesting and you can have fun
decorating a bigger tank.
Keeping a proper size school of small fish means they won't hide so much.
A good filter and regular water changes gives you clean water and active
fish.
Appropriate feeding will improve the color of the fish. etc.

And for the folk who just like to brag, I appeal to their ego. I tell them about the guy who has a REALLY big fish because it's in a bigger tank so it'll grow better. Or sympathize with them that it's sad they're too poor to afford a -real- tank. Whatever pushes their buttons to motivate them to improve.

the difference between keeping a fish in a tiny tank and keeping a bird in a small cage or a dog in a small appartment is that birds and dogs are not breathing their own urine and feces.

Shelby_Tempo_GT said:

I've seen people complain about the size of fish tank, yet live with a dog or cat in the city.

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Well I live in california so there is nothing but city's out here. So your saying that since I stay in Los Angeles I should'nt keep a dog? That dont make sense.

tha cichlid man said:

Well I live in california so there is nothing but city's out here. So your saying that since I stay in Los Angeles I should'nt keep a dog? That dont make sense.

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no. I'm saying before you cast the first stone, be aware of what you do with your own animals.

How much room does the dog have to run? Do you own a large dog in an apartment?
Do you let your birds fly free?
How large is your rodent cage?



I'm saying be careful of claiming moral superiority when someone can come along and poke holes in your case and call you a hypocrite.

RockabillyChick said:

the difference between keeping a fish in a tiny tank and keeping a bird in a small cage or a dog in a small appartment is that birds and dogs are not breathing their own urine and feces.

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that would be every fish in every tank.

Don't keep fish in any tank and this wont happen. Hell, unless you do 100% WC everyday, your fish will be breathing their own waste.