Storytime: How/Why did you become a fish keeper?

[Deleted]

Greetings All,

Some of us here like the science....and some of us here like the stories.

I have shared how/why I became a fish keeper in many of my posts -- so won't tell my own story here. Some of my story won't ever be recorded in my posts.... but I smile every time I think of it.

So....How did you decide to become a fish-keeper (yes, some folks say they are "water-keepers" and the fish keep themselves)?

Cheers,

Judy

Edit: And some of us like both science and stories!! I know how and why Carl became a fish keeper. His first job was in a pet store (and I kind of know how he got into treatments of fish diseases... Remember that story, Carl?). Maybe some of you became fish keepers because you bought your child a goldfish or Betta when they were little? OR your parents bought you a goldfish or Betta as your first pet. Whatever the reason... Just take a trip down memory lane and remember that moment as you read this.

[devonjohnsgard]

For me... to get it short.

I had an 55 gal aquarium while I was in high school and knew nothing about it. I love the fish in it and loved picking out new fish, but never did anything to provide a stable environment for them. I just added water when it go to low and kinda cleaned the bio-wheels the tank had. The tank was given to me as a gift and I re-gifted it to my brother when I moved away for college.

Fast forward like 5 years, cause I didn't have an aquarium at that time. I was still going to school and for the first time, my family didn't me to work and go to college at the same time! Very good feeling cause I've always worked while attending college. My wife had a very good job, but she was going through some hardship at the job. She ended up quieting her job, then the only income we had was my school loan money and unemployment.

Around this time, we were attending a church small group and were pretty close to a lady who worked for a aquarium online information/retailer (AAP). My wife was offered to come check out AAP to work a new job. She did work for AAP for one day and when she got home, she told me AAP would be more my thing. So, I decided to check it out and took the AAP job, even though I was going to school. It was nice when it lasted, but I was back to work. Now I was working for a placed focused on keeping fish the best way we know how.

I've learned a lot from Carl in working with him for about 3 years now. I've been involved in a handful of aquarium sense. I get paid to do what people love to do for a hobby. It's pretty cool. Now I work at AAP part-time and use my degree in psychology to work with kids who have learning and behavioral issues. Still play with aquarium daily though and learn daily.

Anyways. Interesting thread. Thanks for sharing.

[Ameenah]

I had a small tank when I was a kid, then a very large Red Earred Slider turtle tank when I was a Foster Parent - my teenage foster kids really enjoyed the huge tank and watching the turtles on the lawn whenever I cleaned the tank. I ended up giving that tank and turtles to one of my daughters when I moved away. She later gave it to the private school her eldest son attended.

My current aquarium collection began when we discovered our cat Wakeeya had allergies to the outdoors and had to become an indoor cat. We wanted something to attract his attention and thought of either a bird or fish --- we opted for fish. Got Wakeeya a 20 gallon kit and some Rykuin Goldfish and Neon Tetras. And the tanks started multiplying and increasing in size. Wakeeya doesnt spend much time watching the fish - but us humans do! When we are out of country, I miss watching my fishes - thank goodness I have videos posted in  My Tank Blog - Tour the Big Tank  here in the EA Forum.

When we have guests over the first thing they say is "what a huge aquarium" and then they say "what huge fish". I tell them that the big fish are still considered babies. No one takes notice of the smaller tanks right off. But they do notice them eventually. I like the compliments alot.

Biggest challenge is keeping adult and child guests from tapping on the glass! Does anyone have a solution to this? Why do people think to tap the glass to begin with?

[devonjohnsgard]

Dec 29, 2014 20:39:53 GMT -5 Ameenah said:

I had a small tank when I was a kid, then a very large Red Earred Slider turtle tank

When we have guests over the first thing they say is "what a huge aquarium" and then they say "what huge fish". I tell them that the big fish are still considered babies. No one takes notice of the smaller tanks right off. But they do notice them eventually. I like the compliments alot.

Biggest challenge is keeping adult and child guests from tapping on the glass! Does anyone have a solution to this? Why do people think to tap the glass to begin with?

Thanks for sharing Ameenah! You reminded me of a turtle tank I had when I was younger. Forgot to mention it. It was a Red Ear Slider, we called him Slader... Saved by the Bell was pretty big then. We ended up finding him a good home after I lost interest in him as a kid. I wouldn't mind having a turtle again.

Most people walk right into my house and straight to the fish tank. I guess it's very eye catching. I don't have a tapping problem, but since it's wast level with no glass top, everyone wants to put there fingers in it. Kids love letting the fish nibble on their fingers. No sickness to anyone or any fish...yet.

[parker002]

Dec 29, 2014 20:39:53 GMT -5 Ameenah said:

We wanted something to attract his attention and thought of either a bird or fish --- we opted for fish.

Good choice. My experience is that water creates a boundary for the cat. If you had gotten a bird, the cat would have eventually figured out a way to eat it.

[angelminx]

Hey, Ameenah!

I found a Fish Funnies cartoon in one of my old magazines the other day that had to do with tapping on the glass--one of these days I'm going to scan some of them and share them with you all. I do occasionally tap on the glass, but when I do it, it's 2-3 taps with the food can to signal that it's Treat Time I don't do it for regular feedings, except when acclimating the new fish to the feeding routine.

Now, about how I got started:

I started keeping fish in high school (though my parents did have a 10G tank for a while a few years before). My Mom had a friend who kept fish (mostly guppies) and knew of a good dedicated fish store. I had wanted to get a puppy, but Mom said no, but that she would get me some fish instead (she later said that she created a monster). I started out with a 15G tank and an undergravel filter (I later got a couple metal frame 10Gs and a 5G as well), a (non-submersible) heater, and one of the new-fangled fluorescent lights with the ballast on the cord. Unlike tanks that came a few years later, this one had a glass canopy and a separate light strip. I started pout with a male Betta, some peppered cories, and some guppies--I soon had "Guppy Puppies" coming out the ear!

BTW, that fish store had lots of varieties of fish, and sold their guppies in pairs. They even kept the different guppy varieties separated--unlike they do around here. They eventually move to a new and larger location and even added a display pond. ...I wonder if they're still around (this was back in El Cajon, CA; I live in IL now).

[parker002]

Jan 21, 2015 18:14:56 GMT -5 angelminx said:

I found a Fish Funnies cartoon in one of my old magazines the other day that had to do with tapping on the glass--one of these days I'm going to scan some of them and share them with you all. I do occasionally tap on the glass, but when I do it, it's 2-3 taps with the food can to signal that it's Treat Time I don't do it for regular feedings, except when acclimating the new fish to the feeding routine.