Index Tweakage

[Tempestuousfury]

Just something I noticed when perusing the section:

The first posts in each thread could be a little more uniform
-i.e.: pH, temp, etc. either have separate sections or be placed under "care"
-these specs be in both fahrenheit and centigrade
-all of these specs be placed with numbers only--no long strings of text to merely state the required pH and temp
-could salt tolerance also be added to these posts?

I know this sounds rather demanding, but I'm sure it would make surfing through the index easier. *shrugs*

 

[Erised]

Most of the profiles in the fish index have been written by members, and while it was asked for them to follow a certain structure while writing it, the profile doesn't *have* to include those things. For some fish it's really difficult to find exactly what PH they need to be kept in, or sometimes there's a massive range in it. I'd really rather see the profiles with a lot of information minus the PH in that case, rather than no profile at all because they can't find the PH.

For the mods to have to go and read through all the index files now, google to find the information, and then edit all the members posts made in there, would be an aweful lot of work.

You could however write up some new profiles of different fish that aren't mentioned yet (there's plenty) and submit these. And if you find it very important for someone to know what specific PH or whatever this fish needs to be kept in, just add a post with all you want to add to that profile. If it's informative but missed out in the main post, I'm sure the mods will allow a post like that.

 

[Bloo]

You could however write up some new profiles of different fish that aren't mentioned yet (there's plenty) and submit these. And if you find it very important for someone to know what specific PH or whatever this fish needs to be kept in, just add a post with all you want to add to that profile. If it's informative but missed out in the main post, I'm sure the mods will allow a post like that.

But remember you can only submit a profile for a fish you own or have owned. And you your own picture or that of a TFF member (with their permission).

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I didn't mean that all of the info be added if it does not exist. There are many instances where the info is there, it's just placed helter skelter with lots of superfluous text (I'd add links, but feel that that might upset people).

And I realize that the mods have their work cut out for them when it comes to reorganizing everything, so I don't necessarily expect results.

As for writing my own indexes, waiting to get a camera before I write anything up, though I'm sure most if not all of my fish have been indexed already.

 

[steelhealr]

Hi...I can definitely see your side of the issue. I think it would be impossible time-wise to go back and re-organize the threads. However, having 'approved' many of the posts, this is my take on it.

I think the forums desire here was to give fellow forum members an 'insiders' view of what it would be like to own and care for the animals that are presented. Personal experiences give a better insight than, perhaps, statistics posted on a website.

For the most part, fish are adaptable and I personally almost never pay 'too much nevermind' to pH unless it is critical to the species. Comments like 'this fish was difficult to get to eat frozen vs. live' or 'my blue lobster IS aggressive and attacks fish' I think are more useful. The more info added may also make the posts more cluttered or confusing.

If you have a suggested format that you would like to change it to, post here and we'll have a look at it. Post a format exactly as you think would look good in the index. SH

 

[Bloo]

I do think there are many profiles that quite frankly are fairly useless. As steelhealr says, the basic facts about anything can be found on a zillion websites - but personal experience cannot. And I think that's what needs to be brought into the profiles as well. But in a consice format - not waffle waffle.

This is the one I usually try and stick to (where applicable) :

Common Name(s): xxx

Scientific Name: xxx

Family: xxx

Origin: xxx

Size: xxx

Care:
xxx

Feeding:
xxx

Tank mates:
xxx

Breeding:
xxx

Life Span:
xxx

Notes:

 

[Tempestuousfury]

What does "care" mean exactly?

The format is great, I have no issues with it. It's just that some of these posts change the format to split up care and water chemistry, or something of the sort. I was being nitpicky, I guess, though I'm sure other members on here, like myself, have lots of free time, so revamping posts already on here, if that's acceptable with you higher-ups, would be a way for us to contribute to the index. *shrugs*

In the end, if I don't like what I see in an index, or if the fish I am looking into is not mentioned, I could probably just post my question(s) in the respective forums, though as other people have noticed, some forums are a lot slower than others.

 

[steelhealr]

Noted. The original posting guidelines were formatted by CFC. Will discuss it wtih him. SH