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Why? I just love fish. For seemingly no particular reason.:%)

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Because about a year ago my wife said she'd like an aquarium in the living room. She a plastic 2 gal thing and me being me the whole thing became an obsession that turned into the current 70gal monster I have.

Found this site and enjoyed the fun. Went planted and enjoyed the challenge.

I'd like to say it's relaxing but I fuss over the health of the fish and the plants constantly and always some piece of equipment I want to upgrade. People see the tank and go "wow!", I can only see the 1% that doesn't look quite right to me and bugs the hell out of me.

Having said that I love having natural looking fish living in a natural looking environment, it's absolutely fascinating. I could and sometimes sit and watch for hours , there's always somebody doing something.

I guess most of all I'm proud of what I created since the only thing I knew about fish a year ago was that they tasted good with french fries and that the only thing I could grow was hair.

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

because of all the great people you get to meet.

I like most pets, and fishes are a well-priced, easily-maintained choice.
I began to love them even more after starting the hobby because of their personalities. Cories have their funky idiosyncracies and bettas eat out of my hand. (I can also have staring contests with Sheppard.)

Because you can combine species in the same environment, unlike most other animals. I've researched doing it with herps, but I've never had any herps, plus there isn't nearly so much information on it as fish.

It's really cool to watch the fish interact, between species and within the same species (take the breeding behaviours of N. brichardi, for example - and fish are VERY diverse).

It's hilarious to see the dog try to get a full-grown bristlenose... or any other catfish, for that matter.

And because you can make a good-looking habitat for them and see them use it as they would in nature. Especially in lieu of actually being able to go to the places the fish would occur in the wild.

And because there's often an actual application of the things I learn in school - especially my ecology class!

Oooo I might as well say that for the remainder of the semester, I am studying ichthyology Had mammology for the first part, now on to the fishies! If my friend in my major didn't think I was fish-nuts before, she will really get to hear about it now! Oooo I'm so excited about our summer practicum... that's going to be sooooooo fun!

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Cause it bugs the heck outa my parents ... &amp; my mum has a fish phobia ... Really! She does! It's hillarious... something to do with being chased with a dead goldfish by her older sister when she was a kid

But seriously, i don't really know... I kinda got into it by accident (goldfish + 3 yr old nephew) &amp; it kinda grew on me... I love the fishies themselves, the challenges, learning new stuff, the creative aspects, the people i've met through fishkeeping... It's all good!

Sin

It's a challenge, at least with the fish I pick. The love of fish is built into me. I hated not having fish when I lived in a dorm. So much happier now that I have fish again! :d

Because they talk to me

..and people call me crazy cause i keep fish.

I keep fish because it can be very calming.
Also, I wouldn't keep a dog or cat in my apartment.
I do like dogs, but they need walks, shots, $1000. operations, you get very attached and it hurts like heck when you lose them after many years. They shed and I have minor allergies.

With the fishies, they make great pets, never smell, don't shed, you can tune out the world while you work on the tanks for a bit. There is always something new to explore, ie plants, shrimp, etc.. I also like the small scientific part of it.. It satisfies my need to do something interesting. And compared to the price of keeping a dog or cat, this hobby costs less. I really enjoy this hobby

The Amazon Nut...

We were given a tank by my Father-in-Law and it was carrying the Multi Tank Syndrome Virus and there is no known cure.


Like I have a choice, Mike

last night, i got home from a rough 12 hour shift. my two kids each got a small handful of flakes, pellets and wafers. we spent a good hour and a half with the room lights out watching the fish eat and poke around. something about the soft glow of the tank lights, the inquisitive questions from my kids (tiger tank the weather loach, krusty crab the red clawed crab, and spinasaurous the pleco are their favs), and the constant movement of the fish in a large tank is soooo calming.

the question is easy enough- why do you keep fish? the challenge? relaxation? escape?

I bought my first betta when I was 15 (over 20 years ago ), and have been keeping at least one of them almost continually since then. My ex was never supportive of me &amp; my fish, so I was fishless for that period of time My new husband has always encouraged any of my interests, so I was back into bettas.
Then for Christmas he surprised me with a 29g kit And of course it's been an addiction since then

Why? Not exactly sure...I love the fish, the varieties of species, colors, personalities. I like the challenge (most of the time ). I enjoy seeing the fish healthy, active and colorful because of my care. I like laying on the couch in the evening, the only lights in the room being from the tanks and watching the fish. I love when my kids visit and show an interest in the fish. Lots of good stuff

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

* I love to watch my fish, if very relaxing.

* I love to aquascape, it's so much fun creating different environments for my tanks.

For me it's cause I've always loved nature in general.

I feel a need to have life round me, yet currently it isn't practical for me to have dogs or cats or such.

That and also cause I keep planted tanks: my exterior garden may be a mess but the little submerged ones allow me to exercise my (somewhat) green thumbs

It's the best of both worlds: pets in a little aquascape one creates. Not many pets (or hobbies even) let you combine fauna and flora in such a way

Dex

There is also the sense of community that comes with fish keeping. Several of my co-workers have large tank or multi-tank syndrome. We are always comparing notes and swaping stories. For me it is equal parts of this, the challange and relaxation.

I started because I have been interested in aquariums for close to sixty years.
I purchased my first tank when I could afford to look after it properly.
Today I find it very peaceful and relaxing as well as giving me a hobby in retirment.
With the FP I have learnt so much more, and enjoy passing my knowledge to others also helping where ever I can

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

I started keeping fish because I wanted a "pet" that was all mine. When you have a dog or cat, everyone in the house kind of owns it. With an aquarium in my bedroom, it was all mine. Now, I continue to keep fish because they really fascinate me.

I've been thinking about this one and it's a surprisingly difficult question. Everyone needs hobbies. I settled on this one because it's relaxing to watch the fish swim around, it has a slightly scientific part to it that I like, and it's relatively low labour. But it still has enough to do (feeding, water changes/gravel vacs, water testing) that it's still something to do, if you know what I mean.

relaxing issue for me

if ive had a hard day i can lie in bed for hours just watching my dudes swim about.

well i will be able to wen the tank gets some fish in it!

also gaining the trust of a shoal of fish, or one fish is an amazing feeling, to have them eat out ur hand or come to the glass when ur girlfriend decides to kiss the tank is great to watch.

There are many reasons why I keep my fish. First of all, we can't have any other pets in my house. Secondly, it's fun trying to recreate a habitat for little creatures, and watch them goofing around. Third, Things one and two love watching the fish, asking me about them, and perusing fish stores with me.

It's just plain fun to be the lord and master of some (relatively) little animals, and try to keep the place in which they live as perfect as possible.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."