New To Forum, Veteran To Fish Keeping

[Karoti]

I have been keeping tropical fish for 49 years without a break, ranging to around 20 tanks (I had a fish house in the 70's), but never less than one.  I thought I was reasonably adept at keeping fish, but after reading some of these posts, now realise I know very little about the science of water quality and plant growing.  Just shows, you are never too old to learn.
 
Cheers everyone, and keep up the good work.

 

[fluttermoth]

Welcome to the forum, Karoti, good to have you on board.

 

[Sophie]

Welcome and fascinating stuff it is!
What have you kept over the years? Done anything impressive?

 

[Karoti]

Over the years kept all the regular stuff, I guess the biggest being my Giraffe Catfish as pictured...

 

[Blondielovesfish]

to the forum.

Your Giraffe Catfish is so cool! How big do they get?

 

[Karoti]

View attachment 71497

to the forum.

Your Giraffe Catfish is so cool! How big do they get?

This pic should give you an idea... 
 
Of course they are unlikely to get so big in an aquarium, but I can tell you their growth rate is phenomenal.  I purchased mine at about 5cm and in less than two years he had well outgrown my 6 x 2 x 2 feet tank, so reluctantly had to move him to someone that could give him the space he needed.  A great tame fish though, will eat out of your hand at an early age, no hiding away.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Over the years kept all the regular stuff, I guess the biggest being my Giraffe Catfish as pictured...

 
That is mahoosive! I see why you had to move him on though! Oh and welcome to the forum too!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Wow, he is stunning!
 
Good on your for doing the right thing and moving him on

 

[Karoti]

......Good on your for doing the right thing and moving him on

It's always been my philosophy to give my fish as much space as I possibly can.  In other words get the biggest tank you can afford or fit in, for the given fish.
 
I know a lot of our (fresh water), fish have never been in their natural environment, but when we think about how much space they have and the conditions there, we should try and emulate that.
 
I have always had a thing about animals in captivity, so I try and alleviate my slight guilt about my chosen hobby, by doing the best for them and I appease myself a little by the thought that at least they don't have any natural predators in the aquarium.

 

[JAB]

Welcome to the forum Karoti! I'm a newbie too and just starting out with my first tank