A Moral Question

[The-Wolf]

Given that you will not have a tank large enough
(or even be able to upgrade the tank) for a 2ft fish.

would you purchase said fish at say 1" and sell it later
when it got too big for your tank, say 12", for a profit?
would that be considered immoral?

 

[Chri$]

thats a matter of opinion, some people may say it's immoral others maybe not. I myself are undicided.

 

[JasonPlus]

Given that you will not have a tank large enough
(or even be able to upgrade the tank) for a 2ft fish.

would you purchase said fish at say 1" and sell it later
when it got too big for your tank, say 12", for a profit?
would that be considered immoral?

Are you actually making profit if you have to feed it until it gets to 12"?

I'd think about it if it were a fish I really wanted to keep and if I was sure I could sell it to someone who could meet it's housing requirements.

 

[shrimply]

I don't think so as long as you are 100% positive you have a home fo it once it gets too big.

 

[debiasir]

not immoral but you have to think if you get attached it will be hard to give /sell not knowing it will get 100% good treatment

 

[OohFeeshy]

Yeah, I know a lot of people prefer to buy their fish larger due to having predators, etc. I wouldn't say it is, after all, you'd be selling for what people were willing to pay, not how much would make you a profit.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

i'd say that it depends on the demand for this species at a 12" length. ex: a large goldfish will probably sell more readily than a large iridescent shark. thus there's no real danger of the large goldfish never finding a good home but the iridescent shark could be "stuck on the shelf" for ages.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

As long as you find a home for it once it gets to big for your tank(s), I think its fine. And a profit would be very unlikely, taking into account feeding, and any health problems.

 

[prankster705]

I think it's totaly good as long as you find it a good hone...

 

[Wanda hornsey]

...Yep I argee with the good home idea my self I dont see its a problem as long as you act responsibly

 

[Tolak]

I've done it before, and don't consider it immoral. The profit end of it is doubtful, taking electricity, water, & food into account. You are lucky to break even.

 

[Ethos]

I think its fine.
As long as it sells, of course.

 

[Torrean]

doesn't necessarily have to sell. You could give it away as long as you consider the benefit of keeping it worth it.

 

[rdd1952]

I see no problem with it. My son got a small common pleco (about 2") for his 20 gallon tank to clean up some algae. The guy that owns the LFS told him to just bring it back when it gets too big and he will give him store credit back.

 

[fishing4exotics]

I've raised fish to 2' before. Arowanas, catfish, and other large predatory fish mostly. Raising a fish from 1" to 12" can cost quite a bit. If you consider your time, the cost to feed, and house the fish. Also, considering the risk that the fish could die on you within the time it takes to grow it out to 12". I personally would buy a fish already grown out rather than grow it out myself. These are for fish I want to breed. It is more cost effective for me to start out with a mature fish than to grow it out myself. Again, this is for fish I want to breed. So to your question about being immoral, NO it is not. Hobbyist are PERFECTLY willing to let other hobbyist grow out a fish and pay for it. I have and I was totally satisfied with my purchases!