Indeed, there are 'hardier' types of fish that are sometimes recommended for a 'fish-in' cycle, yet that still doesn't disguise the fact that some people are still vividly against anything 'fish-in' related, especially on a forum such as this.
I also see the term 'tester' as bringing images of disposabiltity, or being able to throw and get another one...i don't like this thought being attached to images of tropical fish.
Terry.
I understand. On the other hand, we're talking about fish and not human babies or even mammals of any kind, so to compare the fish to warm blooded mammals is not quite with keeping things level. I care deeply for my fish, I will spend a fortune trying to save fish that I didn't even plan to own because I like the challenge, learning experience and the subsequent reward if the fish improves. But I LOVE my daughter. If my daughter were seriously ill and I thought it might help her, I'd cook my fish for her without a second thought. Like I said before, I care greatly for my fish and I want them to be happy, but they're still cold blooded fish after all.
Personally, I think fish have a right to live until they give up. I think euthenasia in fish or humans is often times a selfish decision, but that's my opinion and probably not yours. I've seen fish come back from the brink because they had enough will to live. I've seen others give up amazingly fast because they didn't.
The same as with raising kids, everyone has a different idea of how to properly keep fish. It's easy to look at others and find fault, but it's not going to change anything for people to puff up and blow when they see something they don't like. It's just going to get everybody riled over things they can't control anyway. And when all is said and done, it's really up to the fish owner to do as he/she sees fit. Isn't that what we all choose to do anyway? Advice is a take it or leave it proposition. Nobody has an obligation to follow advice; getting mad because they didn't is pointless.
Sadly, there are "tester" mammals out there who's sole purpose for living is to die a tortured death for the cosmetics industry. I seriously doubt the OP was thinking in those terms.
EDIT: I know you weren't the one making the comparisons to kittens etc., I was expanding upon what I first said. Sorry, I didn't mean to cause any confusion.
