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

Eupterus

The one who takes a different path.
Jul 22, 2007
1,131
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31 Spooner St. Quahog, RI.
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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