Are We Responsible Enough To Look After Our Fish?

[RasputinGrimm]

Hello all,

I am looking for some advice for if it is ethical that we should keep our marine fish. Recently our Blue Tang died from marine ich. We had only had him for around two years when I understand the lifespan of one in captivity is at least 8 years. My mother noticed that the blue tang had a white spot that looked like from rubbing around a month ago when our fish came back from being held in our specialist's shop (they had to be kept there whilst the tank was being fixed). She just thought it was aging. Our specialist only comes every two weeks and said only on the second visit back that it was diseased and that we should keep an eye on it. After a couple days we called for him to come look at it, but he did not have the time. A few days later the Blue Tang died. It was incredibly sad to see it lying on the bottom of the tank presumably suffering a painful death.

When we got the tank for marine fish three years ago, we were in no way marine aquarists and hoped that a specialist would be able to maintain the tank and fish. We have had no problems until now. However, thinking back, we have cycled through a number of fish that did not live back to their full captive lifespan. The Blue Tang was the last original fish we had. Our tank is 300 litres and we have about 8 fish at the moment. We have decided not to buy anymore marine fish having found out that nearly none can be bred in captivity and have to be taken from their reefs in the wild. I see people here who take their aquarium as a serious hobby whereas we originally wanted our fish as pets.

What is the solution to better care for our remaining fish? Should we find a specialist who can come to check on the fish every few days as opposed to two week? I might be able to buy and study how to use kits to check daily on their environment, but as the only one in the house who could take the time to do this, my medical condition might not let me care for the fish daily and indefinitely. The only benefit I can see for us continuing to keep the fish is that we have the surety we can afford to keep them as long as they need.

Thank you
Grimm

 

[Baker]

It sounds like the best thing for you and your fish is you personally taking care of it. I hope that can be understood as a compliment as what I mean to say is that you seem to have a passionate curiosity as to how to look after something that has essentially happened upon you. It's true that most people would probably just metaphorically watch indifferently as a house decoration slowly deteriorates and dies off, but you seem legitimately concerned and able to learn enough to manage that tank yourself.
And not to seem too intrusive but you mentioned you have a medical condition that you're battling and i think taking on the responsibility of caring for this seemingly helpless tank would be a good emotional strengthening tool for you as well as for the fish.
If you were motivated and encouraged enough to learn how to maintain the marine ecosystem I think you could work towards idealizing the life of your fish.

Although I must admit I'm judgementally incapacitated tonight, maybe I'm reading too much into your post

 

[Demeter32]

I love that you love your salt water tank so much, and I think it is in the remain fish's best interest that you do some serious reading up on your own. It is highly recommended to do a lot of research to all who plan on going into keeping aquatic critters. Although it is good to hear you have a specialist to care for your tank, but like you have experienced, they can't always be there. It is up to you to notice when your critters are feeling off and to take action when things are not going well.

I don't mean to sound harsh about this, but it seems obvious to research a problem that arising in a pet. Most people will actively research any illnesses, diseases, or any other medical problem that they are diagnosed with. It is right to think of doing the same for pets, including your fish. A simple fresh water bath could of cured the ich in your tang, but perhaps nothing could of saved him and euthanizing the fish would of been better.

I know the hardships of fish keeping, the good Lord knows how many fish I've accidentally killed over the years. I didn't think to research before buying the fish/plants/invertebrates. My experience in fish keeping stands upon the heaps of dead aquatic critters, but from those deaths I have learned so much. If you are unable to care for your fish, which it would sound you adore very much, then I say you should find someone with the proper knowledge and equipment to take them in permanently. It is up to you to provide the best home for your fish, even if that means giving them up.

It might be easier on you to perhaps switch to a smaller fresh water tank, as they are far easier to manage and (IMO) are far easier to understand.