We don't hold water change parties, and our tanks are in our homes, but how many of us take our aquarium interest out into the world around us?
Are you a fishkeeping loner or not?
- Thread starter GaryE
- Start date
I've only ever met one other aquarist, and I first met him on here. He worked at the petrol station my husband used - I always had to go in and pay which is how we got talking. But he was only working there temporarily while waiting to start police college and I haven't seen or heard of him for years.
As I don't drive I can't get to meetings even if I knew where to go. Taxis are expensive and buses don't run to my nearby stop after 6 pm
As I don't drive I can't get to meetings even if I knew where to go. Taxis are expensive and buses don't run to my nearby stop after 6 pm
MattW
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I would love to have a local group as I always have room for plants which usually cost loads online. I know there is some traction with a group/store in Urmston but I don’t drive yet 
gwand
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I am a member of The Aquarists of Central Maryland and have two good friends who have been in the hobby for many years.
Uberhoust
Fish Herder
Never had the chance to be part of a fish group, would like to be but around here the closest is a Facebook group, unfortunately I don't use Facebook.
JuiceBox52
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I have a few acquaintances in the area who I’ve kept in touch with, mostly those met through ads posted on the Facebook branch of the in-person local club I’ve only attended twice.
And I have become fairly close with a few people from TFF as well
And I have become fairly close with a few people from TFF as well
I'm certainly no loner when it comes to this hobby...
I'm in an international network of serious fish keepers & breeders. I'm also a board member of our national society of livebearers (Poecilia Netherlands).
I do exchange fish with other serious livebearer keepers & breeders. I also offer my livebearers at relevant events to those who are interested.
I'm in an international network of serious fish keepers & breeders. I'm also a board member of our national society of livebearers (Poecilia Netherlands).
I do exchange fish with other serious livebearer keepers & breeders. I also offer my livebearers at relevant events to those who are interested.
I voted as a loner, as right now I don’t have anyone local I hang with that are fish people… my last fish friends gave up the hobby about a year ago… I may identify as a curmudgeon…
Fishwise, I am a lucky man. I have a group of friends, including those I've collected fish with. None of them have connections to my local clubs or live close by my current home, but all are diehard, respected fish people.
We do this weird, archaic thing where we use our voices on phones, and don't just text.
Locally, I'm reasonably adjusted now to an edge of town lifestyle, with more deer around than people. But by getting involved in the local club, I've now met a circle of aquarists. They aren't into the same fish I am, but that doesn't matter much. We're kindred souls. I find it very relaxing to be in the company of other fishnerds.
I don't see my fish friend circle as often as I'd like, and many have scattered all over the place since we met. But we stay in touch, discuss fishkeeping and learning issues, and generally are around.
We do this weird, archaic thing where we use our voices on phones, and don't just text.
Locally, I'm reasonably adjusted now to an edge of town lifestyle, with more deer around than people. But by getting involved in the local club, I've now met a circle of aquarists. They aren't into the same fish I am, but that doesn't matter much. We're kindred souls. I find it very relaxing to be in the company of other fishnerds.
I don't see my fish friend circle as often as I'd like, and many have scattered all over the place since we met. But we stay in touch, discuss fishkeeping and learning issues, and generally are around.
I would think having a local fish store would help greatly with meeting local fish guy friends… my local, is more dog groomer than fish store… my limited visits there, makes it more difficult, but I’ve had a few good fish conversations while waiting in line for fish to be caught… of course I always bring my little dog in, as he is also welcome there… unfortunately most have been centered around the cute little bichirs, the shop seems compelled to sell to everyone…
Ed Pursell
Fish Fanatic
Been in this hobby since the late 70’s, had a few friends in it too… Over the years, lost contact with them, got married, kids, deaths, etc… Got married again in 2003 to a Honey I went to school with in the 70’s, my Mom reunited us! So Got back into it, but have no associates that are into it at this point…. Funny thing is, with the kids and all, I still am in contact and see the “EX” on a frequent basis, with our Spouses and Kids, Grandkids which Is cool. And yes, the EX and her hubby has as tank, so this is a conversation when we cross paths! Have a few drinks, enjoy the life, love what we got! Yes, 67 years old! And retired this year!
Ed
Ed
TwoTankAmin
Fish Maniac
It took me years to join a club. But now that I have I almost never miss a meeting and I have been at our Jan. public auction for the last 5 years. I even worked at it for the club once three years ago.
Weekend events are a great place to meet fish folks. There are a number of folks who will go to many events every. Almost all events end with an open the the public Auction.
My first event was sponsored by the Ohio Cichlid Assn, (OCA) who have hosted an event for many many years. I went to the 2003 event because a number of the people in the fish chat room on the site I frequented were going. Also one of those people was bringing me a gift- a pair of Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi so I could have a chance to observe mouth brooding.
Then I started to go to The Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies weekend event. That was where I got to meet and chat with Hans-Georg Evers. I was initially a day tripper for this event as it was a 75 minute drive from me. Eventually I become a regular vendor at the event. I also attended a few of the bi-annual AllAquarium Catfish Conventions. At some of these I would see people from Europe who always come for the event. I always went as one of the room sellers wh8 filled the second floor of hotel rooms for hr the event.
My final event as a vendor was the 2023 Keystone Clash in PA. I had a ton of help at that one, Two nice gals who were fish keepers helped me run "booth" at the event and they knew a number of big strong guys there who helped in unloading and reloading my rented VAN.
I have met a lot of fish keepers over the years. The one O have known the longest and who I call a friend is Rachel O'Leary. We met for the first time and a weekend event and wound up as friend. I have been to her home a number of times and she has been here a few.
My best friend for a number of decades now lives 3 hours away. I visit him in DE several times a year. When he was traveling more for his law practice he would come up to NYC every few months. We would always get together at some point during his visit He has had one fish tank, a 29 gal. in his home office for years. He takes care of the tank but is not an ardent fish keeper. We never talk fish.
Me talking to most people: "Yes, I have 20 fish tanks at home?"
Most people then ask me: "Why so many?
Me taking to a fellow fish nut: "I have 20 fish tanks scattered around my home"
Fish nuts always then ask me: "Why so few?"
(edited to fix my usual typos)
Weekend events are a great place to meet fish folks. There are a number of folks who will go to many events every. Almost all events end with an open the the public Auction.
My first event was sponsored by the Ohio Cichlid Assn, (OCA) who have hosted an event for many many years. I went to the 2003 event because a number of the people in the fish chat room on the site I frequented were going. Also one of those people was bringing me a gift- a pair of Pseudocrenilabrus nicholsi so I could have a chance to observe mouth brooding.
Then I started to go to The Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies weekend event. That was where I got to meet and chat with Hans-Georg Evers. I was initially a day tripper for this event as it was a 75 minute drive from me. Eventually I become a regular vendor at the event. I also attended a few of the bi-annual AllAquarium Catfish Conventions. At some of these I would see people from Europe who always come for the event. I always went as one of the room sellers wh8 filled the second floor of hotel rooms for hr the event.
My final event as a vendor was the 2023 Keystone Clash in PA. I had a ton of help at that one, Two nice gals who were fish keepers helped me run "booth" at the event and they knew a number of big strong guys there who helped in unloading and reloading my rented VAN.
I have met a lot of fish keepers over the years. The one O have known the longest and who I call a friend is Rachel O'Leary. We met for the first time and a weekend event and wound up as friend. I have been to her home a number of times and she has been here a few.
My best friend for a number of decades now lives 3 hours away. I visit him in DE several times a year. When he was traveling more for his law practice he would come up to NYC every few months. We would always get together at some point during his visit He has had one fish tank, a 29 gal. in his home office for years. He takes care of the tank but is not an ardent fish keeper. We never talk fish.
Me talking to most people: "Yes, I have 20 fish tanks at home?"
Most people then ask me: "Why so many?
Me taking to a fellow fish nut: "I have 20 fish tanks scattered around my home"
Fish nuts always then ask me: "Why so few?"
(edited to fix my usual typos)
Last edited:
We don't really have a culture of weekend events here - except in the cluster of clubs around Toronto. In the past, I attended a few and always had a good time, with killie meetings and the NEC, as an attendee and as a speaker. You meet good people, and the hobby is full of them. I won't be heading south again anytime soon, but I may check out some European events. I mean, if you have to travel for these things, Portugal, France or the Netherlands beat the suburbs of Hartford Connecticut.
Evers has been by the house and fishroom a couple of times, and while he's a brilliant nice guy, I haven't had enough time with him to say he's a friend.
Evers has been by the house and fishroom a couple of times, and while he's a brilliant nice guy, I haven't had enough time with him to say he's a friend.
fishorama
Fish Addict
I've been to fish club meets in a few places over the years. Some just for an occasional talk or big auction. I don't stay up late anymore, so night meets have to be of big interest to me or if my carpool friend drives.
Now I belong to an aquatic plant club but haven't been in over a year. It used to be more fun when we met for potluck lunch, often at a member's home, lfs or park. We use our real names before you can join. We don't really have a club organizer but try to have them in different areas of our large metro region. We always have a free "pass the bags of plants", sometimes people sell, trade or give away fish or equipment. Covid killed the home meets & potluck
It's just not the same. I twice had meets at my house to help set up new tanks. People brought food, plants & hard scape & as host I got first pick, lol. Some of the members are planting & scaping machines! They took a couple hours to do what would have taken me at least days or weeks. I always try to talk to new people about their tanks & offer my low-tech limited help with plants that might work for them.
I used to think of myself as fairly shy, but I guess not really in some ways. I've tried to be careful of people, especially kids I've "met" online. Meet with parent in lfs parking lot, etc. But also suggested going a local club for a meet or 2. Once my husband & I were walking around a nearby reservoir & brought back a biggish log. A guy said "I hope that's going in a fish tank", lol, so of course we stopped to chat. I've also tried to include family & friends in my hobby whether through gift tanks or plants
& @GaryE, I think I've been to that CT meet a couple times, lol.
Now I belong to an aquatic plant club but haven't been in over a year. It used to be more fun when we met for potluck lunch, often at a member's home, lfs or park. We use our real names before you can join. We don't really have a club organizer but try to have them in different areas of our large metro region. We always have a free "pass the bags of plants", sometimes people sell, trade or give away fish or equipment. Covid killed the home meets & potluck
It's just not the same. I twice had meets at my house to help set up new tanks. People brought food, plants & hard scape & as host I got first pick, lol. Some of the members are planting & scaping machines! They took a couple hours to do what would have taken me at least days or weeks. I always try to talk to new people about their tanks & offer my low-tech limited help with plants that might work for them.I used to think of myself as fairly shy, but I guess not really in some ways. I've tried to be careful of people, especially kids I've "met" online. Meet with parent in lfs parking lot, etc. But also suggested going a local club for a meet or 2. Once my husband & I were walking around a nearby reservoir & brought back a biggish log. A guy said "I hope that's going in a fish tank", lol, so of course we stopped to chat. I've also tried to include family & friends in my hobby whether through gift tanks or plants
& @GaryE, I think I've been to that CT meet a couple times, lol.
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