Newbies ask yourself this Question before Starting the Hobby

[f8ldzz]

Do you judge everything on monetary value alone?

This is an interesting question...

For the majority of the modern world, that's exactly the point.
If it's costs more money, society tends to hold in in higher regard...or more important...or more respect - pick one.
There was an interesting point made by a friend: living fish - in general - is not how most LFS make their money - it's the accessories, food, etc. to support the fish that has the highest profit margin.
Most businesses, money, profit margin, and net income is the bottom line.
Now, there are varying degrees to which LFS' are "sympathetic" to the quality of the lives of their fish, but I think it's safe to say that they would rather be making money over worrying about the fish living conditions - i.e. obviously overstocked tanks just to keep them.

Sorry to say, but I'm stuck in this vicious cycle also.
I would easily spend a lot more time, money, etc. on a $1,000 AKC dog rather than a $3 fish - that's reality.

 

[f8ldzz]

hobby of imprisonment? possibly
but on the other hand, if they were left in the wild they would be prone to dangers such as predators and natural disasters, i know that my fish are safe from these
as for commercially bred stock, atleast i have the satisfaction of knowing that the fish i buy i can provide them with what 95% (at a guess) of the other people cant which would be a good and caring home

this is a hobby of responsibility, the lives of creatures are in your hands and depend soley on you for their survival

So in essence, you end up playing god...?

Sorry for disturbing everyone's warm, fuzzy feeling, but I just wanted to play devil's advocate in this thread.

If we look at the extreme end of things, we should leave livings things alone in their natural habitat and let them succumb to Darwin's theory of natural selection...or Star Trek's philosophy of not intervening a new planet's natural process of evolution.
It just confuses me that people insist they are providing a better "life" for their fish by keeping them in a tank, irregardless of what size it is - it's still "artificial".
I'll just leave it at that; I think I stepped on too many toes already.

 

[ashdavid]

I'll just leave it at that; I think I stepped on too many toes already.

I have to disagree , I can't speak for anyone else but you never stepped on my toes. I enjoy a good discussion as you can probable see.And you say you played devil's advocate, but I have to disagree with you there again, you presented one side of a two sided argument (which will never have a right or wrong answer) and is essential imho for a good discussion. I welcome anyones input b/c like I said earlier I dont presume to know everything. Unfortunatly everything is guided by the almighty buck and this is probably never going to change. I have no delusion's about the fact that I am keeping fish in an unnatural enviroment, it is no substitute for the wild. But what I am trying to say is that because people are going to keep fish regardless, we have an obligation to give them the best possible life we can. So to the statement that started all of this "There's already a sticky on this, so more repetition?" I think this thread has got a few people thinking, which imho is not a waste. Jmo but I tell it the way I see it , I don't beat around the bush, but that being said I try to do it without offending anyone if I do I apologise.

 

[tornangel012]

Wow I'm gone for a couple days this gets into a huge DEBATE not my intention. This like swimfins said was directed more to Newbies then anyone else. I hope this is the End of it or that you will carry on you discussions of the Nature vs artificial and hobby vs fanatcial hobbists someplace else. ALL GOOD points you all are making but I think it would do better in another Thread in the Freshwater forum then in the Newbie forum because it could get very confusing to someone who is new to this.

Anyways. Let's just close this. Thank you! :clap: