What's A Fishkeeper To Do?

[jiffy]

I've become bored with my 10 gallon tank. I can sit all day and watch my 30 gal, but I rarely look at my 10 gal for long. Part of it, I decided is because I don't like my aquascaping. To remedy that, I am going to the LFS today to buy more plants.

I love my dwarf gourami, he likes to hang out by me whenever I go near the tank, and when he sees my hand go for the lid, he is right there waiting to eat. My cardinals, I really love their colors, but they don't do much. The cory cats can be interesting though.

So, 2 of my cardinals have died within the past few months, and I don't know if I should trade in what I have left and get something different, or get more tetras and just re-aquascape.

I was at a LFS today, and I saw Pristella Tetras. I like the way they look, but I'm not just I can "give up" my cardinals.

Whats a fishkeeper do when they feel loyalty to their current fish, but are looking for a change?

PS. Don't suggest "buy a larger tank" I have a spare 30 gal, but I don't have the space for it right now...

 

[starrynightxxi]

well, while i can't answer for YOU, when that happened to me, i traded them in for different fish. I know that if i were to become disinterested in my fish, i would become disinterested in caring for them and they would suffer, so it was much better for them to go somewhere else where they would be appreciated.

 

[mesapod]

Well i think if you traded them in for other fish they would be happier,Because your not going to buy more of them and they like to be in schools so by having them when they start to die of the last one alive will be very unhappy.

 

[guppymonkey]

I never trade in fish. Even though they are just fish, its like trading in your dog because you got bored with the old one but thats just my personal opinion. First of all most pet stores won't let you trade fish, some will take them off your hands but most won't give any credit. Its not cost effective to have people constantly returning fish for no good reason. Secondly without a major change in fish they aren't going to become more interesting. Most schooling fish like tetras aren't going to dash around the tank constantly for your viewing amusement unless they are under extreme stress. When they are happy and healthy they usually move slowly or not much at all. Some danios are dashers but most of the tetras are not going to have that behavior (and if they do its not going to be fun for them to dash in a ten gallon with such little space). You could try to reaquascape the tank, sometimes a change of environment can make a tank like new.

 

[jiffy]

mesapod - I should have added it to my OP, but if I was not to get different fish, I would get more of what i have, so that they are happy.

guppymonkey - I know what you mean about not trading in a dog, thats kinda how i feel about my fish...

The LFS I go to gives 50% of what they sell the same fish for when you trade in. I did get new plants tonight, the tank def looks better but I still need to decide on the fish.

The skunk corys might have to go, as I want to have more than 2, but the LFS is out of them right now and I am moving in a week. If they don't get more in, I may trade for something I can have enough of.