On-line Pet Peeves

Nannostomus mortenthaleri
Photo by Dennis Ball

Have you noticed, that on many of the on-line fish hang-outs there seem to be forum members that their only purpose is to spew negativity and tell others that they can’t do something.  You know the type;  you can’t have that many fish, you can’t mix those fish, you can’t cycle your tank that way, you can do this and you can’t do that, blah blah blah.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not talking about those people who are offering good sound advise.  I’m only talking about that group who never have anything good to offer and simply parrot something they have heard from another nay-sayer.

Maybe I’m just getting old, but I can’t see where this helps new members of our hobby.  In fact I think it has just the opposite affect, and puts them off the hobby.  After all, if it’s so complicated and there are so many strict rules, what’s the fun of keeping fish???

Leopard Danio
Photo by Dennis Ball

I’ve started to use this as a criteria when looking at the forums I hang-out on.  Too much negativity and I’m gone.  If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s this;  If you want to do something badly enough, and are willing to put in the time and effort that will be required, almost anything is possible.

Take for example, stocking levels.  Every quality fish breeder that I’ve known, initially houses they’re fry in what many would consider to be grossly over-stocked conditions.  It’s not because they don’t know better, or that they mistreat their fish.  It’s because it leads to faster growth, provides better living & growing conditions, and better fish as the end result.

I guess when it comes right down to it, my biggest concern is this: Somewhere out there is a little girl or boy who would like their first aquarium.  When Mom checks outs the requirements, she is overwhelmed with all the exaggerated claims about keeping fish.  As a result, the aquarium is never purchased and Mom encourages the child to pursue something else.  Looking back on all that I learned and all the enjoyment I have experienced, it truly saddens me to imagine this happening.