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Right, I've probably been a bit harsh with my comment, but I do get irate when I read about people seeing fish as nothing more than passive entertainment.

So, time to explain my point of view before I go and turn on my TV.

TV for me is something that is that causes atrophy to the brains of millions around the world. It's not something I choose to watch a lot of.

Passive entertainment, barely concious in a couch, hours of life are sucked out of us.

My fish however are a source of wholly interactive entertainment which I love. I care for these beings in my home as honoured guests, and in return they let me into their world. Hardly passive entertainment and a tranquil ying to the busy worlds yang.

However, my life doesn't revolve around my fish. Victim, if you are depressed, I do feel for you, I spent many of my younger years fighting depression myself, but be careful of staying indoors staring into an aquarium. There's a whole world out there for you to enjoy, when you're ready. In the meantime, Keep the fish happy and take solace in the fact that you are responsible for these living beings, and in some way they're probably thankful.

The TV is never thankful.

*honks horn*

Oh wait, sorry

In this game, a little bit of humour helps things run smoothly. Helps to keep one going during the bad times when disaster strikes. And right now, there are one or two aquarists here who need some serious cheering up after being unfairly struck by various woes despite lavishing considerable TLC on their fishes.

All together now: if your fish love you, smile!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Hehe curare

*checks line*

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Am I the only one who finds that comment amusing?

A fish person... taking the bait?

Are they biting today? ]

I don't get the satisfaction of knowing that I created a beautiful, healthy environment for my finned freinds when I watch the tube. Also, the people in the tv don't watch me back or interact with me in any way. And except for a few Bond flicks its hard to see a school of pihranas at feeding time ( Yeah, you know what I mean)

Vic, I think you take things a little too personally. Dont let people bait you into a rage, its simply not worth it.

If you like to watch your fish then thats great. Its better than a whole lot of other things you could be doing with yourself.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I have one tank on my desk (a 10 gal) in plain view of all in the house, which is great.

I have another 50 gal at the end of my bed which is great for those lazy sunday afternoons

another 2 gal in the bathroom right next to the shower which brightens that room nicely.

A 8 gal bowfront marine (my gf's) lives in the reading room.

We also have three tv's but they're rarely turned on.

Kinda makes me feel stupid for paying so much for a box I never use!

A writer for one of them said that the thing to look for is a small stool or chair near the aquaria in a fish house

Would a futon work ! My tank is set up right next to the tv. I have time for the tv only on sunday evenings. I have time for the tanks whenever, in fact I'll often take my naps before my night job right in front of the tanks.

^_^
[hr width='40%']"I'm alright, I'm alright
It only hurts when I breathe"

One quote from one of my magazines is apposite here. A writer for one of them said that the thing to look for is a small stool or chair near the aquaria in a fish house. An aquarist who spends time watching fish for hours on end and develops a fascination for them is likely to make a good aquarist.

Even though I don't need a stool (I can just turn my armchair through 180° !!!) I still have one. Means I can make observations close up, take photos, then dash back to the armchair to tell everyone here the latest Panda frolics

Plus, when I'm chatting in the chat room, all I have to do is look over my shoulder, and if the Pandas are spawning, I can give everyone a running comentary as it happens


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

You may be right there man.

I look at it this way.

It IS a hobby, a pasionate passtime.

If you don't get enjoyment out of it then you're doing something wrong.

I get enjoyment on so many levels, it's just such good clean fun!

i wonder, of all the people who choose not to have a tv, (and i'm one of them), how many of them have beautiful aquariums in its place? a can see a thesis study emerging...

i remember when i got my tank a few yrs back and i went online and asked what i shud buy and what i shud do etc makin sure no fish died etc

my biggest reason for gettin one was that i just wanted to sit there and watch them

simple

so i set it up and its been fine since never had a prob with it etc

but i remember one "expert" who started to make digs at me saying i was jumping on a bandwagon and this wasnt a toy or a fad etc

its a hobby. its not my life i admit. i sometimes dont sit there as often as i shud but i take care of them. i odnt think anything has the right to critise the reason u have fish unless ur clearly harming the fish

That's something I missed out in in my original article. Thanks for that Curare. Yes, your fish will, if you treat them correctly, be duly thankful for your efforts and repay your diligence in a way that a TV never will. In my case, my Pandas have repaid my diligence by spawning. Seventy times in less than two years. When that happens, you get a real warm glow from your fishes.

Plus, species such as Dempseys and Jaguar Cichlids can become real pets. Taking food from your fingers. I've even read in one article on intelligence in fishes, about an Oscar that was trained to ring a bell for food. While this may not be quite as satisfying as meeting that special someone destined to be your husband/wife, it's a LOT more satisfying than soap operas. These fishes genuinely engage in a rapport with their keepers. Which explains why they enjoy a devoted following among so many people despite their alleged 'negative traits' (many of which are the result of plain misunderstanding).

Mind you, with respect to the tranquillity aspect, while seeing an aquarium containing angels and Discus serenely gliding about may be relaxing, a tankful of boisterous Mbuna could give you a facial tic!



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

is this saying that i shouldnt watch my fish?

It seems that alot of people here are mad, and say fish arent entertainment.

News to me, my fish are half of the entertainment i get from this boring life.

What??? Your cories haven't voted for their mayor yet? hahahaha Watching my cories now. I too watch my tanks all the time. I am noticing that it is always the males taking the lead when they do their "follow the leader" around the tank.

___________________________________________

If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

I keep saying that to all the people who think I'm mad because I don't have a television set

I keep telling them: I don't have to pay an exorbitant licence fee (a UK curiosity that one), I don't get endless repeats, my fish are more intelligent than most TV presenters, and I'll never see a Party Political Broadcast in my aquarium





Last edited by Calilasseia at 08-Mar-2005 19:02

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I happen to think fish tanks are much better to look at than TV

TV is mostly trash anyway

Then maybe you should do a little more with your life than watch fish dude.

WHat a rude thing to say.

I am depressed. I was in the hospitle because a member here said some very rude stuff to me. Acually watching fish is calming to me, it makes me feel good. It is a fact that having pets is less likely that you will be depressed when you are older.


ANyways, i have never seen that thread mentioned above, but i have seen it in st least 4 different posts.

Life is boring. Fish aren't. End of story.

No, but really. Why else would somebody keep fish if they aren't watching and enjoying them? I hate how every "designer" tank (Biorbs, etc) tries to make it sound like fish keeping is "just add water!" Definitely not true. It really is a science, perhaps why I like it so much. Always something new to learn, always something I don't know to discover. I hate knowing everything about something.

Last edited by smantzer at 08-Mar-2005 14:04