Well, I've learned never to say never. The more I learn about different species, the more I appreciate them, no matter how plain, troublesome, or ugly they are. There's always something sweet, entertaining, or fascinating that's unique to each particular fish.
Being around some kind of fish you thought you wouldn't like (for whatever reason) has a way of changing your mind. That's how it's always been in my case, anyway. Our lack of appreciation, is usually more a lack of exposure.
When I was young, I didn't like the idea of feeding one fish to another. I already knew how tender-hearted I was and didn't think I could handle that. Conceptually, yes that's how the food chain works - but figured having to see it would upset me.
Then I was exposed to saltwater fish who were fed live goldfish every day. Turned out that watching the small fish get eaten didn't phase me at all. What bothered me more, actually, was seeing a freshwater fish be dropped into salt water. Knowing how much it must suffer from hostile water conditions for as long as it took another fish to kill it.
I grew up around peaceful freshwater community fish.. so I didn't have much use for cichlids. What I had seen seemed boring and drab. I've since had to revise that impression, too. They're not boring at all.
There really is something to admire and appreciate about all types of fish. It's just a matter of getting to know them in the right setting.
