Hiya Everybody!

[katiethejedi]

*clears throat*

Why, hello there, fishy forum! I am posting here because I am new...obviously. Since I am new, I feel I should introduce myself: You may call me Katie, or Kate (Whichever floats your boat). I'm an 18 year old college student that attends a little school in Indiana, US, called Ball State University, majoring in Photography and Graphic Design. I'm also somewhat of a musician. Music was my other choice of schooling... but I decided against it. I play the trumpet (some say I don't suck). If you know what DCI is, I march it and it's a huge part of my life. If you don't... I don't feel like explaining it. Ever since I was a toddler, I have been an animal fanatic. I've had quite a few different kinds of pets over the years. Currently, at home (not with me ), I have 3 dogs (A German Shepherd and 2 Beagles), 2 cats, and 7 turtles (for you turtle people: and RES, YBS, Western Painted, 4 box). Yes, 7.

No fish? No. Then, why am I here you ask? Well... Fish have always fascinated me. I've had goldfish before and a beta once or twice. For some reason, my parents were never really for fish (crazy right? I'm allowed to have a 75 gallon aquarium in my room for my turtles, and a pond outside for turtles... but not an aquarium for fish.. psh). So, here I am, in my lonely dorm room... SO LONELY, for my roommate hasn't slept in here in about 2 weeks now... and I was thinking.. I need to get a friend that will hang with me in my dorm room... hm... most of my friends live off campus... Well, poo. WAIT! I CAN GET A PET! So, I've started looking into it. Turns out, only fully aquatic animals are allowed in my dorm hall. So... Fish.

Basically, I've come here to learn more about different kinds of fish before I venture out and buy a little fella not knowing much about them. I know turtle forums helped me a lot when I got into turtles. So, here I am! And now I am now asking, what kinds of fish should I look into? (P.S... I really don't need a beginner status fish.. for I have experience with water temp, filters, pH levels, etc. with my turtles. Also, I'm in this room a lot.) So, yea. Please help me


Thanks for reading my little book!

-Katie

Any questions about me?? Ask, silly!

I hope I fit in here!

 

[Chad]

Welcome!
My name is Chad and I will call you Katie since that is one of my favorite names.

The two fish I love as "pets" are the betta and the green spotted puffer. The former is a beginner fish, the latter is not and requires specialized care.

There are tiny puffers that I call pea puffers and some call dwarf or pygmy puffers that don't require nearly as special care but have the same pet-like personality. These fish will get to know you and come to the glass when you arrive home. Puffers are like dogs that live in water.

Betta are not as easy as people think to do well but tend to be hardy. They have great personalities and tend to recognize their owners.

 

[crazyforcordoras]

Dwarf puffers are great!love em. My favorite pet fish is definately the Angelfish. Mine lived 7 1/2 years( just died recently) and was very personable. A very magestic fish.


Oh yah, welcome to the forum Katie!

 

[katiethejedi]

Thanks for the welcome!!

I will definitely look into the dwarf puffers!

 

[Chad]

 

[katiethejedi]

Watching videos on youtube, I think I'm about sold. THOSE EYES! Haha! is there a section on this forum for puffers? I can't seem to find it.. I feel dumb.

 

[Chad]

There's a lot of misinformation about them out there...for example some people say they only eat live food, but they will eat thawed out frozen food and some freeze dried foods as well.

Puffer information is found in the brackish water fourm but since these guys aren't brackish but actual freshwater I am going to guess that's not the place to look.

Oh...and the eyes are stereoscopic like a chameleon.

 

[katiethejedi]

Where do you suggest I go to buy my fish?

 

[Chad]

Well, that's a tough one. Here in AZ we have several very good quality local fish stores (LFS) where I can go and pick the perfect little guy out. If you don't live in an area such as that you can try a chain store such as PetSmart, they are known to carry them, or an online retailer that has good reviews or word of mouth.

 

[Salam]

I love my dwarf puffers! So much personality, they come to the glass for a chat

Here is one of mine munching on a snail:
Nom nom nom

Have a read here to get you started.

Oh, and welcome to the forum Katie!

 

[Sqbear46]

Welcome Katie!

Nicole

 

[katiethejedi]

Thanks everyone! I'm super excited! I think I'll be getting the fish sometime next week. In the meantime, can someone direct me to the part of the forum that I can see how I need to set up a perfect tank for this? I don't want this to be less than perfect.