Does anyone else turn their mistakes from a bummer into a learning experience?

S

silberseele

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Dec 1, 2008
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I'm relatively new to fishkeeping - all freshwater so far, and I have had quite a few mishaps and have killed my fair share of fish.

I feel terrible about it. I wish I could go back, knowing what I do now and change what went down - but at the same time, I value what I learned.

I still don't know very much. When one of my fish gets sick, I do whatever I can to help, but I've found myself feeling less distressed about it and adopting more of a "Well, we'll see if this works...if it does not, try something else - and something else, and something else, and if the fish dies, not the end of the world" attitude.

I'm not sure how to take this - does anyone else feel this way? I'm majoring in biology, so maybe that plays a part in the nearly clinical attitude...

What do you think?
 
I think that's a good attitude to have:
Do your best to do right by the pets you choose to care for, but accept that things can happen and that fish can pass. Sometimes it's from mistakes we make so we learn and do better, and sometimes there was nothing we could have done.

So far in my short experience I've had 2 fish die for no apparent reason and one that jumped out of the tank. Thing is, I actually heard the jumper making noise, but managed to convince myself that it was probably something else I was hearing so I didn't act. I still feel bad about that, but I'm trying to see it as a lesson learned and a motivation to do better.
 
I once put 2 bettas into one of those little hex tanks with a divider that probably held about a liter:( needless to say they both died quickly.
 
Hi, Yes I agree with your outlook.

The truth of this life is that it is a learning experience - we all make mistakes and do wrongs in our lifetimes - the point is to learn and not repeat the same mistakes over and over.

One of my particular concerns is the impact of having a living creature die in my care - I believe all living things are equal and killing a fish (or anything else) is equal to killing a human soul. But the truth is that for everything there is a season and all things die. All we can do is our best when caring for another. If we fail, it is our duty to learn from the experience and not do the same thing again. I always express gratitude to creatures and forgive myself for any blunders.
 
silberseele said:
I'm relatively new to fishkeeping - all freshwater so far, and I have had quite a few mishaps and have killed my fair share of fish.

I feel terrible about it. I wish I could go back, knowing what I do now and change what went down - but at the same time, I value what I learned.

I still don't know very much. When one of my fish gets sick, I do whatever I can to help, but I've found myself feeling less distressed about it and adopting more of a "Well, we'll see if this works...if it does not, try something else - and something else, and something else, and if the fish dies, not the end of the world" attitude.

I'm not sure how to take this - does anyone else feel this way? I'm majoring in biology, so maybe that plays a part in the nearly clinical attitude...

What do you think?
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Excellent points ...

However, doesn't that make you wonder why chemical/medicine suppliers don't label the bottles better. And, provide very detailed charts, at least one poster-board one in the stores their products are sold in, which display examples of the various diseases? And, even come up with better programs to support hobbyists?

I mean, frankly, I believe they want you to use up the product while the fish is dying, buy a new fish, buy a new product, and begin again--you are just a mindless slave supporting them! (is my paranoia showing?)

Yes, I agree with you! Well said, you have put my feelings into words.

Regards,
TA
 
I agree with the attitude but find fault with the science. Research, research, research. Knowing what to try and knowing enough to not try is key. Sometimes cleaner water will cure the ills. People are too quick to throw a chemical at a fishkeeping problem as a first run trial. There are many many ills that can mimic a more serious problem and ppl want a quick cure. They often forget that the fish didn't get sick overnight and though they never noticed until it was serious, they now want the overnight cure. Sometimes we arm ourselves with too much information and forget to do the easy, simple things first. Keeping a log of symptoms and attempted treatment can help minimize lost time.

I don't think there has ever been a fishkeeper that hasn't lost a fish or two at some point. Losing more than 3 a day says something is wrong with the fish keeper. The hardest part to figure out is what went wrong. As long as we learn from our mistakes, we should be better and wiser for it. I may not always succeed but I certainly try to as well.
 
excuzzzeme said:
... People are too quick to throw a chemical at a fishkeeping problem as a first run trial. There are many many ills that can mimic a more serious problem and ppl want a quick cure. They often forget that the fish didn't get sick overnight and though they never noticed until it was serious, they now want the overnight cure. Sometimes we arm ourselves with too much information and forget to do the easy, simple things first. Keeping a log of symptoms and attempted treatment can help minimize lost time.

I don't think there has ever been a fishkeeper that hasn't lost a fish or two at some point. Losing more than 3 a day says something is wrong with the fish keeper. The hardest part to figure out is what went wrong. As long as we learn from our mistakes, we should be better and wiser for it. I may not always succeed but I certainly try to as well.
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I am VERY quick to "throw" an antibiotic at some problems. And, it doesn't matter how I "got to the problem", fix it first, analysis comes later--implementing fixes to methods/procedures/tasks comes right behind.

However, you have that all mixed it with the application of "wrong cures", expecting water changes to be a cure all, etc. One of those subjects at a time, per thread, could possibly be treated/discussed correctly!

If I had 3 fish die a year, I'd think something wrong; and, I raise thousands a year for sale (guppies, platys, glass fish, a few oto's, etc.) (OK, OK, I am NOT counting the ones which are "jumpers" or are eaten, trapped in the filter, etc.--I mean from disease/parasites/fungus/polluted-water/etc.

When I purchase new fish, this can all change, even after following proper quarantine, etc. Imported fish and "fish factories" just get away with selling diseased and parasite/wormy fish, in my humble opinion. They might survive in the conditions they have existed in, the wild or the breeder ponds, and breeding containers, but the new stresses they encounter, once bought, will trigger "bad things" and quite frequently. This is the monster I carry on the constant battle with.

Regards,
TA
 
3 deaths in a year is commendable when you have hundreds run through your tanks. I was not suggesting water changes are a cure all, rather suggesting that sometimes the cure can be easy as a water change and that we often overlook the simple. I think that is more common to a new person that a well-established one. Water changes are a frequently mis-understood need. Part of the blame for it goes to the retailer as well.

I think one treatment per thread might be a good idea but unfortunately there will be too many with the wrong cure for the ill or not realizing that sometimes there is more than one right answer. How could that be qualified? Example: I have seen treatment for Ich to be anywhere from 1 tsp per gallon to 3 tablespoons per gallon, with temps ranging as high as 86-88. How does a new person know what is more acceptable method?

It's a good idea. Just need to work out the shortcomings.
 
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