What Kind Of Person Enjoys Fishkeeping?

[john5748]

I was just talking with a friend about fishkeeping and the type of people which seem to enjoy this hobby and we had a bit of a disagreement about this.

So I would like to have a poll to identify, if possible the average fishkeeper, the gender, how they got into this hobby, the type of profession they are in (if applicable) and anything else I can think of between now and posting this topic.

Please take the time to complete this as I think the more people that would complete this the better it would be, I have not seen this particular poll done before but if it has post a link and I will delete this as I cannot stand multiple posts of the same topic.

I will of course start off.

1. What started you fishkeeping?

My dad kept fish for years, ever since I can remember and I used to love helping him out with the weekly water changes (I used to have to suck on the home made syphon, as my dad didn't like the taste of fish water)!!

2. Age when you got your first tank?

35 yr old, unfortunatley I never took the hobby up again for quite a few years as I was constantly on the move and never seemed to put down my roots until a few years ago, now I have one tropical tank that I have been running for a couple of years and hope to move into marine in a couple of years once I am more experienced (and have saved up all my money)!!

3. Gender?

Male.

I also wanted to add peoples occupations to the poll but rather than list all possible jobs it may be easier if people could just specify their current jobs (if applicable).

4. Current occupation

Consultant.

 

[chishnfips]

Hi there mate,

Well I got my first tank when I was about 12, but I only got into it seriously when I turned 18. I am now 25 and love da fishies.
My dad used to have a 20 gallon tank in his office at work, I used to love watching it when I was a kid n that was what made me get into it.

I am a 25yr old bloke and my occupation is : Graphic Designer.



I think you'll find quite a wide range of people keep fish, from children through to OAP's .

and from all walks of life, I dont think it is generalised into any specific group of person. B)

chish

 

[Bloo]

1. What started you fishkeeping?
Too long ago to remember but think it's because we lived next to the ocean, but couldn't keep any of the critters I caught in the rock pools so next best was having some freshwater tropicals

2. Age when you got your first tank?
Again, too long ago to remember, but roughly aged 10.

3. Gender?
Female

4. Current occupation
Gill of Many Trades (and master of all!)

 

[Squid]

Your results may be swayed a bit...... only a little though..

some of the votes might be based upon.. work skiving, internet using people like me..

EDITED: (to be more useful)

1. A friend had a fish tank they could no longer house, so i offered to take it off thier hands... that was the start.

2. 28

3. Male

4. Product Marketing/Pre-sales for a software company.

Cheers
Squid

 

[rdd1952]

1. I checked other on what got me started because some of all of them applied. I have always loved fish and fishing. I had seen tanks in stores, businesses, homes and also been to places like Sea World and Marineland so all of them actually applied but none more so than the other.

2. Actually, our first tank was a Christmas present for my wife last year (I wanted one too so it was the perfect gift, one the giver can also enjoy). I was 52 at the time.

3. Male

4. Dispatch Coordinator

As for a "typical" fishkeeper, I don't think there is one. Just look at the diversity of this forum. We have members ranging in age from 11 (probably younger) to at least 53 (me), both male and female and I think we come from all walks of life (definitely from all corners of the globe) from those making megabucks (definitely not me) to those scraping by from paycheck to paycheck (a lot closer to me). That's why it's such a wonderful hobby.

 

[gayno]

1. What started you fishkeeping?
Many years ago my dad used to keep tropical fish, but he started getting tired of it. Once the fish he had died [through natural causes of course] he packed up the tank and gave it to my aunt. I have always loved fish since then, and just got back into it myself.

2. Age when you got your first tank?
Around 3 weeks ago! That makes me 20!

3. Gender?
Male

4. Current occupation
Computer hardware and networking apprentice

 

[trace1]

hi put that the pet shop got me into fish, but its more than that i have seen tanks around but not many of my family or friends have them, my dad had a tank when i was little my mum is amazed i don't remember it but i wasn't even 2 at the time
got my own first tank when i was around 20ish had it in my flat which was on the 12th floor, it was then i found out that the tank water can syphon back through the airlines if left out of tank fortunatly i got on with my neighbour in the flat below as at least half the water leaked out over nite into her flat .
not long after that i gave it all up as my fish kept dying, well now i know why they kept dying
that was about 9 years ago & got back into keeping fish july this year & now have 4 tanks set up
don't work as i don't have time with 5kids 4tanks & a puppy to look after lol
oh yeah & i'm female age 33
or at least i was last time i looked

just thought as well my star sign is pisces so maybe it was destiny that i keep fish lol

 

[Ethos]

1. What started you fishkeeping?
I was alwasy intrested in fish and aquariums, i always thought they were so cool looking.
Little did I know that I'd be owning multipul tanks!

2. Age when you got your first tank?
12th birthday

3. Gender?
Male

4. Current occupation
Student

 

[prankster705]

I don't have time now, will tell you later.

 

[Bre_B]

1. What started you fishkeeping?

Well, my dad got a tank when i was very young. He got it because a friend of the family encouraged him to, and he had one (and thats my dad's best friend) so He went for it. I took over once my dad lost interest in the "new toy"

2. Age when you got your first tank?

First tank ("family" tank... it was mine and my dads, really) I get when i was apprx. 8 years old. I knew nothing (and we didnt even let it cycle... ugh, i think back and i hate myself. haha) all i did was sit around staring at it and me and my sister named ALL the fish, and cried when our favorite angelfish, Ceasar, died. Is that how Ceasar is spelled? oh well, you know what i mean.

3. Gender?

Female.

4. Current occupation

Currently a student, but im one in a few who knows what im doing when i get out of here. I'm going to college for fisheries technology/aquaculture, and in the meantime ill make money like i do now - webdesign/graphic design, and a part time job lol.

 

[Diane]

What started you fish keeping

My partner wanted a tropical fish tank, as he'd always wanted one. Only to find that after we had bought one and it came to water changes etc he was frightened of putting his hand in the tank in case the fish would bite him (I'm not joking). So now its my tank, my fish, my everything.

Age you got your first tank
22

Gender
Female

Current Occupation
Cinema Manager

 

[john5748]

1. What started you fishkeeping?
Too long ago to remember but think it's because we lived next to the ocean, but couldn't keep any of the critters I caught in the rock pools so next best was having some freshwater tropicals

Lived next to the ocean eh, jammy bugger the closest I got to the ocean was the North Sea lol!!

4. Current occupation
Gill of Many Trades (and master of all!)
Me as well, fancy that.

1. I checked other on what got me started because some of all of them applied. I have always loved fish and fishing.
Can fish keeping and fishing really go together, sounds like a conflict of interests?


As for a "typical" fishkeeper, I don't think there is one. Just look at the diversity of this forum. We have members ranging in age from 11 (probably younger) to at least 53 (me), both male and female and I think we come from all walks of life (definitely from all corners of the globe) from those making megabucks (definitely not me) to those scraping by from paycheck to paycheck (a lot closer to me). That's why it's such a wonderful hobby.
Well said, I agree totally.

Well I have just had a quick check of the poll and it is looking that it is the youngest are in the majority here, which sounds about right as there is plenty of younger people on here which have helped me out when advice was needed.

Only to find that after we had bought one and it came to water changes etc he was frightened of putting his hand in the tank in case the fish would bite him (I'm not joking).

What did he have in the tank, they must have been big scary fish??

 

[Diane]

I wish I could say Yes,
but no we had Guppies, Albino catfish, Mollies, just peaceful fish

1 good thing came out of it, I'm now the owner of a lovely 55g tank with all the fish I want (not what he wants) he he. He has no say so what I do with it.

Also I love fish keeping

 

[Bloo]

Well I have just had a quick check of the poll and it is looking that it is the youngest are in the majority here,

How do you deduct this from the poll information?

nowhere did you ask us how old we are now, or how many years we have kept fish for ......

 

[Erised]

1. What started you fishkeeping?
Being at home 24/7 because of illness, and really needing a hobby to keep me busy and keep/drag me out of depression. Walked into the garden center and saw a lovely little 5G tank and fell in love with the tank Figured I needed some fish in there, made the mistake of buying way too many to go in there ... so had to buy myself another tank >=) I'm sure you can guess how it went on from there


2. Age when you got your first tank?
Either 16 or 17, I can't quite remember.


3. Gender?
Female

4. Current occupation
Unemployed