What type of 'fish keeper' are you?

[paulioo]

I read an interesting article describing the many directions that people in this hobby take...

Probably the most common way people begin the fishkeeping hobby is with a little tank placed on top of some table, counter or shelf. From there, some hobbyists evolve in the "fish over tank" direction, becoming skilled breeders of several different species or specializing in a single one, and creating huge, complex fishrooms where each tank is essentially an "as practical as possible" recepient for the final objective, which is the fish. Other hobbyists evolve in the "tank over fish" direction, becoming skilled creators of awesome show tanks where the fish are just one of many important items in the composition as a whole.

I got into this hobby with the sole purpose of creating a nice feature for my newly decorated bedroom. I view the fish as only a small part of the overall feature. I spend most of my time ensuring my plants are thriving and let the fish get on with it themselves. If the water is in good condition then so too will my fish.

Whereas I know other people who have multiple tanks who pay little or no attention to the aquascape. Their sole purpose is to keep many differnet types of fish.

So do you view the fish we keep as the main aspect of this hobby or do you view the fish as only a small part of the overall picture?

 

[modernhamlet]

I'm a big picture, show tank kind of guy. I wouldn't keep a tank full of fish unless I could make it look good. The way I see it, if the tank environment (hardscape, plants, lighting, stock list) is well thought out and natural, not only will I and others viewing the tank have a more enjoyable experience, but the fish will be more comfortable and act more naturally as well.

Quality, not quantity...

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

My main concern is the fish but I try my best to give them as natural enviroment as possible so the enviroment is important too.
But all the hard work is worth it (I know, I'm still working hard for two of my tanks) when you find, one evening upon feeding the fish that a pair of the golden gouramies are bubble nesting.
Hugs,
P.

 

[WILDER]

Voted my maintain concern is for the fish.

 

[RandomWiktor]

My general philosophy with tanks is that I will make them look however they need to in order to have content fish. If it means adding these hideous neon pink caves that my bettas love because it won't rip their fins... I'll cringe at the ugliness, and do it. If it means having so many plants for my stressed-out plakat that I can barely seem him, it happens. If it means having absolutely friggen ugly gravel for the goldfish, so that it is big enough for them to not eat it, then I go buy it. My fish are companion animals; while I enjoy decorating thier tank, anything and everything in that tank is for thier comfort and enjoyment.
And I'm definately not a quantity person; I know people who would never dream of letting a betta have "a whole ten gallon tank?!" Most people I know don't even want to "waste" the space in one gallon on only one fish. I don't see it that way; I see my tanks the way I see my bird cages; yes, the parakeets could live without an aviary, but if I can afford a higher quality of life, why not go for it? I see understocked tanks as healthier tanks than overstocked or at-capacity; the fewer fish, the less waste, the less chance for disease spread, and the more one gets to know the animal individually. This is why I have a huge tank with... two goldfish in it, another large tank with one CAE in it, and a bunch of 5's and an occasional 10 with only one betta in each. Yes, for a social fish, I would have multiples of the species. But only the minimum population for happy, healthy fish.

 

[lljdma06]

I don't know, though I voted "fish over tank", my tanks all evolved from creating the best environment that I can for my fish. Best environment, for me involves plants, caves, and decorations, arranged in a pleasing manner for both me and the fish and taking into consideration the environment where the fish dwells. I know that if my plants are thriving, more than likely my fish will be too. I see one as an extension of the other and that is how I take the hobby. That's a good question, glad you came up with it, made me think a little.

 

[SPLiSH]

I voted 'fish over tank'. I do everything I can to make my fish happy, but try to make myself happy too.

 

[houndour]

I'm a aquascaping person. The way I see it is that if I can provide a gorgeous planted tank then the fish will benefit from it, the design changes all the time so this must provide some new interest for the fish.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I voted fish over tank. I've got a similar attitude to RandomWiktor- even if I decorated the tank to how I like it, I'd still not be happy with it. Luckilly most of my tanks can look OK and still meet the needs- my 15g especially, it is full of pourous rock which looks good, can house some beneficial bacteria, is fairly cheap and light and most of all gives the khulis loads of hidey holes around the rock. It also provides a great playground for the juvie betta in there. ATM my 2ft is empty, I'm after that perfect decoration which leaves plenty of space for the danios yet provides plenty of hidey holes for various loaches I'm probably putting in there.

 

[CFC]

I couldnt give a stuff what my tanks look like, its the fish swimming in them that matter.

 

[LoachLover]

I think I concentrate on both pretty equally.

 

[Ethos]

I'm a aquascaping person. The way I see it is that if I can provide a gorgeous planted tank then the fish will benefit from it, the design changes all the time so this must provide some new interest for the fish.

[snapback]906266[/snapback]​

Eh, me too.
I love seeing fish in a lush environment.
I hate seeing fish in a dull, boring aqurium.

 

[Paul_MTS]

I'm mainly in for the fish but in some tanks depending whats in there I will make more of an effort with the planting. Usually it's a case of get some large chunks of bogwood and wiggle them around until i like the postioning.

 

[plainlazy]

I like having a tank that looks good, but watching fish is what this hobby is all about to me.

 

[Dwarfs]

Whoever has looked at my picture threads knows that the fish will always come before how the tank looks for me. Without happy, healthy fish, what kind of a fishkeeper are you?