We all learn from our mistakes and grow from them. I didn't pick my puffer due to his size, but his health and movement. I love a good arguement so keep it coming. I am not on any high horse, but now know what I know. My puffer is not special due to his size, he is special because he is an awesome fish. I did take Ed very hard since he is the reason I went to bigger and better. I wanted that fish to have a big tank and room to swim. When I moved into this house I almost killed him half a dozen times due to my lack of knowledge. It is a shame I finally am here with this tank which was for him, and he died three days short of making it into it. I have a memorial tattoo for my Rottweilers, but have not even considered a fish. Maybe I will get a reef done on my back some day, thanks for an awesome idea. I appreciate it. It would be spectacular to say the least.
We live in a throw away society and always just "get another one". Perhaps if we think about why things happen and don't just get something to replace another we would be in a much better place with this world. Yes I am selfish for being in this hobby, yes I want a reef in this house. However I will not contribute to the unethical treatment of animals if possible. I am not perfect by all means but I want to always better myself by lessons I have learned.
Of course I will be back to a LFS, just not that one. I unknowingly bought a fish that was larger because he was caught as an older fish. I did not even consider it until I saw him hunting like a wild animal hunts. My bad, not the puffer's. Whats done is done... It happened for a reason, and I learned a big lesson for it. I won't bring him back to the store now since I picked him and will deal with it. Just because I am a retard does not mean the fish should suffer any more stress by being brought back to the store. He is not a piece of clothing, he is a living creature. You can just bet that I won't do it again. Any large mature fish will be a captive raised fish that outgrew his owner's tank. You can bet on it. My next puffer is exactly that, so I learned and did something with my new knowledge on my mistake.
I won't be buying any more clownfish, at least not these little false percs. That would be even more selfish on my behalf in the end. I am rehoming them soon. My refugium will be set up tonight and I will go snorkling to catch them and keep them safe until homes will be found. If I get another clownfish you can bet I will be asking what kind I should look into and if they will be safe against my hungry piglet.
I do think you fail to understand my point and that is alright by me. It is sometimes hard to convey a message when expression cannot be seen and written word is only there to speak on one's behalf. I am a decent person that is not staring down at anybody, I just don't know better in many aspects of this hobby. As a consumer I have the option to shop where I want to shop. If one place does not work for me, I will go to another. At the end of the day it is me whom has to live with myself. I do take the deaths of my fish seriously because it is my responsibility to keep the safe and healthy. When they die of old age it is one thing, but when they die due to the lack of my knowledge it is my fault.
I knew I would open up a can of worms when I started these two different topics, but debating and education in the debate is the best knowledge anyone can glean in life. At least I know I should not feel so badly about certain issues and if I did not bring these topics forward I would be beating myself over it. At least I can relax and enjoy my hobby but still have lines drawn for my own personal ethics on what I think is right. Does not mean everyone needs to do what I do, but at least I feel I made a difference in my world.
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Originally Posted by superduperwesman
Never said you weren't entitled to you opinion. I'm just saying that based on what I've seen of your opinions I don't think this hobby is for you.
Doesn't mean you have to agree, or that you have to leave the hobby, it just means that in my mind a lot of your comments don't exactly mesh with the hobby.
I just don't understand how you enjoy the hobby with all these internal conflicts/struggles you seem to be having.
Fish die... but you seem to take it hard, or you did with Eddy, but it's going to happen again. Are you going to get a memorial tattoo for every time??
Your taking fish that are from the huge ocean and shoving them in a little glass box for your own personal enjoyment... the hobby is one that sources from selfishness I guess everyone has different lines for how selfish we can be but it seems like your trying to play both sides.
"I don't think large fish should be caught there should be laws but... I have a big puffer in my tank that's "so special" in part because of his size ... but I saved him from the tiny store tank"
"Take him back"... "What? Never... why so some else can buy him? I wont make them suffer by making such a ridiculous purchase."
Your encouraging a market that you supposedly don't like by keeping a big fish... take it back and let the guy sit on it if it's so unethical... if someone else buys it at least your conscience can be clear.
Oh wait... now he's not that big for your tank now... well neither are some of these other fish your trying to make laws about when they're in other peoples tanks.
But right now all I hear is you complaining about a problem that your currently contributing to. Your enormous posts simplified are you battling between your selfishness and your guilt. Find your line quickly or pretty soon vendors wont be selling you the fish you want b/c ur bashing them afterward... even though you'd do it all over.
Good thing I'm not a lfs owner cause I'd reserve the right to refuse you business, but $20 says you'll be back to a lfs before the months end.
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