What would you tell your past newbie-at-fishkeeping-self if you had the chance?

[davros]

6. Small tanks mean small fish. Goldfish are too big and active to live in a 20 gallon tank. So are most native Wyoming fish. In fact, most fish need a LOT more space than you think.

Oh Yes! The tiny native perch you bring home from the lake is is actually 10x the size of anything in your tank and eats every single fish in minutes

 

[Alice B]

I didn’t wash mine at all so now I have snails, I think I got rid of most of them but they layer eggs too so just hope I got all of those as well.

I tried to buy an assassin snail tuesday, but they store was out

 

[Fishies4Ever]

I tried to buy an assassin snail tuesday, but they store was out

Yeah if I missed some of the eggs and some more snails hatch I’ll probably get an assassin snail as well. Do they reproduce easily as well though?

 

[Alice B]

Yeah if I missed some of the eggs and some more snails hatch I’ll probably get an assassin snail as well. Do they reproduce easily as well though?

yes, but if you run out of snails they eat each other so only get one.

 

[Lcc86]

There's no such thing as doing too much research. Research, research, research! Also just because something is described as suitable for a beginner doesn't mean you can just chuck it in a tank and leave it. How my ADF's lived so long (5-7 years) I will never know given how much I did wrong initially.

 

[seangee]

There is no such thing as too much fresh/clean water.

 

[GaryE]

What I would have told intermediate me is different. I wanted answers when I was a book devouring teenager, and I was too quick to think I knew things, case closed.

So I would tell myself to learn what I could but be aware others were doing the same and might demolish all those sensible looking answers by asking new questions.

The changes in how we do basic things over the 55 years I've had fish have been fantastic. The rules have changed.

I started with people around me chasing the no water change ever balanced aquarium, a myth that persists but isn't THE RULE anymore. We feed differently, stock differently, and in a lot of situations, see fish differently. There have been some very stupid fads over that period, but a lot of growth too.

I'd tell myself to keep accepting change but with a skeptical, practical eye. If something ain't broke, accept the idea that maybe it can still be done better. You are always a beginner in the hobby - aquarium experience is just having begun more things than you thought you ever would.

 

[Fishies4Ever]

yes, but if you run out of snails they eat each other so only get one.

Ok I’ll only get one but will they still reproduce with only the one? What will happen if they run out of snails to eat, then what do you feed them?

 

[Magnum Man]

Ok I’ll only get one but will they still reproduce with only the one? What will happen if they run out of snails to eat, then what do you feed them?

L ok

 

[Magnum Man]

I would tell myself to slow down ( patience) seems like I want those “marquee” fish, too soon… killed a lot of fish over the yeas from improper cycling, or wrong water conditions

 

[sharkweek178]

Ok I’ll only get one but will they still reproduce with only the one? What will happen if they run out of snails to eat, then what do you feed them?

Assassins will eat leftover fish food or even algae. Algae is a last resort for them. But they'll actually prefer to eat leftover fish food to eating other snails. So if you get assassins to deal with pest snails and still overfeed, not only will the pest snails proliferate, the assassins won't do much about it.

 

[IwshIwerAfish]

Stop going to Facebook groups for your answers and stick to forums their more like family.

 

[Alice B]

Ok I’ll only get one but will they still reproduce with only the one? What will happen if they run out of snails to eat, then what do you feed them?

I don't know. I think mine ate each other. I had neon tetra disease going at the same time, that or they got old and died. Been a couple of years

 

[O2Breather]

If you could tell your past beginner-fishkeeper self ONE thing, what would it be???

Mine would be to not put my first Betta fish in a 1 gallon tank

Treat them as well as your other pets and always keep the water clean and healthy for them.

 

[MaloK]

What would I say to a 12 years old me...

1- Bottom Feeders are not supposed to float.
2- If you have fishes who like strong current that starts to disappear... Check in your Aquaclear.
3- You're overfeeding.
4- You're overstocking.
5- Stop messing with it.
6- Be patient.