would you/or have you ever

[pnyklr3]

Mine was a gift---sort of. I asked for giftcards to my lps for the equipment! Fish on the otherhand- my mother has bought me fish, and she means well, but I finally told her that my tank couldn't handle anymore! She bought me a plec for my 10 gallon! Luckily, it was a bristle nose and won't get as large as a common.

 

[boozybears]

Would only consider it if they were right there with me picking out the ones they wanted.

 

[Bloo]

I do not think it's a good idea to give any live animal to any person - knowing or not knowing them. Or even thinking they might like it. It really should never be done.

Have to disagree with exceptions. My father has kept fish since I was 10 [Edit: 20 something years ago], and he has a 30 gallon with guppies and albino cories. I bought him some plants and a pair of kribs and they are doing great and I have the peace of mind to know that they are being looked after. I agree in most cases though, pets are not gifts.

Jon

Ok, I will slightly amend what I said. "I might only ever consider buying fish for someone if they explicitly stated exactly what kind of fish they wish to add to their existing tank." I would also never ever buy any other kind of pet and/or choose it myself. Even if they said "oooo, I'd love a Labrador puppy". I believe it is very much a personal thing. I know I would not like it.

Also, someone you know very well, might have a tank that is under stocked and you might think it might be a nice idea to add some fish as a gift (which will fit in nicely with the existing fish). However the person you are buying for, might already have other plans, but have just not go round to doing so.

 

[red-devil0602]

i only got a red tail shark because i know my boyfriend wanted one for ages and the tank is in my house so i know it's ok

 

[Kinda Fishey]

Yeah, I gave my wife a small eclipse tank, for her office . She put two small catfish in it . I knew she wanted a small tank , beforehand. .
I would never completly blindside anyone with any animal gift though. Might be tough on the animal.
KF

 

[witchbox]

i have just gien a tank and fish to my god son (2nd birthday)both he and his mum adore them he has always had fish and i checked with her first, he loves it he feeds them every morning and spend ages every day watching them

 

[Booboo puppy]

I would stick with a gift certificate so the recipient could choose the fish that would go with their tank or the ones they wanted for their first tank. My son's family have animal allergies so their fish are their only pets. I know they would appreciate the idea, but I also know they are very particular about their aquarium.

 

[littlefishie]

I put together a betta care package for a friend for Christmas, since she rescues bettas from WalMart and needs homes for them. I gave her some extra bowls, dechlor, food, and some gravel to add in.

Real live fish I wouldn't do unless I knew the person wanted it, just cos I see too many bettas get flushed at uni.. one of the girls I know, her boyfriend had given her a betta as a gift.. 3 months later he came to live with me, because she didn't really want him, and didn't want to take care of him.
He now lives with a friend of mine because I didn't have the capacity to give him a proper home. Everything worked out in the end, but there isn't always someone to help out when this type of thing happens.

Now, if my family were to gift me with live fish for when I set up my 34g, I wouldn't complain.. But of course they'd get a list of what I want and where to get it.

 

[specks]

My husband & I bought both a tank & a few fish for our son when he decided to take up aquatics as a hobby. He chose the set up he wanted & we just paid up (something we still find ourselves doing). I wouldnt of course give fish as a gift to any one else. At xmas we gave our son in law vouchers to help stock his new tank along with a rather nice book on the subject.