would you/or have you ever

[smb7676]

Just wondering please post what happened after you gave the gift ?

 

[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.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

well, i got my dad a 5g tank and eventually his fish because he thought mine looked like fun. he's not the greatest fish-keeper in the world, but he does really enjoy his little tank.

i think getting someone a tank isn't a bad idea so long as they want one. i wouldn't do it as a surprise of course...

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

yes but only replcaing a dead favorite in my girlfirends dads tank, after he had al ready expressed a desrie to get some new ones

 

[jflowers]

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

 

[ccg]

I disagree with bloozoo2.

If you know the person very well, and know what fish they keep, along with all tank stats and what fish they currently have it can be a great idea.

For christmas I bought my Grandfather a yellow tang and a coral beauty for is 155 gallon. He was very pleased.

It would only be a good idea if you really know the person well, if not it could be a very bad idea.

 

[Fish Buddy]

Yea, I bought my friend a goldfish and a bowl because she always wanted one.
She liked it very much.

 

[JacopoFishy]

my boyfriend bought me the ten gallon I have. I didn't know at the time that he had gotten it, but he gave it to me with the knowledge that I was going to try fishkeeping soon and that I didn't have a tank yet.

I don't think randomly giving someone a tank and fish is a good idea at all, assuming they're not into the hobby at the time. A puppy for your five year old is one thing, fish for your coworker on their birthday without knowing them very well? haha, NO.

 

[sylvia]

I think a fish tank alone is a great gift. Throwing in a filter and heater is nice too but I wouldn't give anyone live fish. It's obvious that you shouldn't realy be giving inexperienced fishkeepers fish - especialy not those who have no knowledge of cycling etc - but it might be nice to get them a tank, help them set it up and then help them get everything ready and choose fish. You could always pay for the fish but let them make the real choices (with help from you to steer them in the right direction ). With more experienced fishkeepers, I wouldn't feel right giving them fish regardless of how well they look after their fish or how suitable the fish are for their tank. The reason is that I think of myself and all the stocking plans I have for various tanks - if someone showed up with a bag of killies for a tank I planned to keep rams in, I'd be pretty annoyed - I'd keep the fish and take care of them but I'd still want that extra ram tank. On the other hand, if I knew exactly what they wanted and they knew about it, I'd probably buy them the fish they've wanted without hesitation but only if they actualy agree for me to do so - I still preffer to pick out the individual fish for myself though (when it comes to my own tanks I mean).

 

[Torrean]

MAN i don't want to get into it. Let's just say don't listen to the guy at the LFS. I asked my gf if she wanted a tank and she said yeah so I bought her one and some fish. It was WAY overstocked uncycled and the fish were mismatched. If you are going to buy someone a fish tank as a gift(including yourself) make sure you research everything thrice before buying

 

[Paul_MTS]

Nope, apart from maybe a tank or equipment I wouldn't buy pet supplies as a gift.

With fish how do you know the person really wants that fish....

Same goes with tanks really, fair enough if there all new to it and don't know whats what but I for 1 wouldn't want someone buying me some random tank, same gfoes for equipment.

 

[Beta 93]

it depends on the person, mine were a gift, and i take the best care of them that i know how

 

[Fishy411]

In special circumstances. My tank is almost a family tank and my family will pick out fish if i say theyll be Ok in the tank. I bought my brother a Senegal but it's in my tank and i knew what i was buying. I didnt vote because there isnt a choice that fits me.

 

[colegamby]

id buy someone a fish if i knew they wanted it and knew how to take care of it. My lfs gives out gift certificates so if you really want to give someone some fish you can take care of it that way.

 

[bobwumba]

it is a good idea for a gift if your giving to someone with knowledge in fish or someone who has a tank already.