Fishkeeping confessions?


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Here are some stupid things I've done in my 2.5 years of being in the hobby:
I once kept a gourami in a 20L as I saw they needed 20G , got confused.

I also once was syphoning reef water up, and swallowed a whole load, in addition to the cynobacteria on the sand that I was removing... I spent the next few muinets throwing up,

I once put a Betta in an uncycled tank (my first ever fish... I set the tank up and basically put him in... It was cold water (had a heater) and I hadn't put dechlorinatior in... I still feel really bad about it.

Ethan
 

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For about 2 months, I thought guppies were from Asia.

I was building an Asian biotope with a dwarf gourami, some glass cats, and some guppies.
This was just as I started fish keeping.

Then, I did some more guppy research because I never could keep male guppies for over a week and females for over a month.

That is when I realized that guppies came from the Amazon.

Also, the deaths just came from poor LFS stocks.
 

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I thought my fish had miraculously multiplied. It was their reflections on the back glass.

 
For about 2 months, I thought guppies were from Asia.

I was building an Asian biotope with a dwarf gourami, some glass cats, and some guppies.
This was just as I started fish keeping.

Then, I did some more guppy research because I never could keep male guppies for over a week and females for over a month.

That is when I realized that guppies came from the Amazon.

Also, the deaths just came from poor LFS stocks.
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Because of google, I thought guppies were from Africa. Turns out they were introduced to control mosquitoes.
 
So there’s been lots of peeps on here insisting I get a betta. Wasn’t feeling quite the thing so took something to calm me down. Then went to eBay. Found one. Now, I have this thing on eBay, if I bid a dollar at a time and someone has a high bid so they just keep being the highest bidder, I’ll jump it up 5$. Then another 5. Well, this other bidder got ahead of me. So I went up 10$. All they had to do was bid .50. But, oh no! So I bought an expensive betta.
Here’s the good part. I told a fishlore friend and she wanted to see the pic. Especially since I was alone and didn’t even know what he looked like. Just that he sounded right. Well, this sweet darling paid for my fish. I can’t ever repay her for this kindness! I won’t say who because I’m not sure she’d want me to. If she doesn’t mind, she’ll chime in and admit how sneaky she was. Love is an amazing thing. Oh, he’s a black orchid crowntail betta. I’m assuming they look quite a bit alike. I hope! Now just waiting. Yep I’m so not right.
 
So there’s been lots of peeps on here insisting I get a betta. Wasn’t feeling quite the thing so took something to calm me down. Then went to eBay. Found one. Now, I have this thing on eBay, if I bid a dollar at a time and someone has a high bid so they just keep being the highest bidder, I’ll jump it up 5$. Then another 5. Well, this other bidder got ahead of me. So I went up 10$. All they had to do was bid .50. But, oh no! So I bought an expensive betta.
Here’s the good part. I told a fishlore friend and she wanted to see the pic. Especially since I was alone and didn’t even know what he looked like. Just that he sounded right. Well, this sweet darling paid for my fish. I can’t ever repay her for this kindness! I won’t say who because I’m not sure she’d want me to. If she doesn’t mind, she’ll chime in and admit how sneaky she was. Love is an amazing thing. Oh, he’s a black orchid crowntail betta. I’m assuming they look quite a bit alike. I hope! Now just waiting. Yep I’m so not right.
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Victory dance! We finally got Gypsy13 a betta! WOOHOO! The impossible has been achieved!
 

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Y’all just have no idea. You see I know it won’t stop at one. Been here done that. I was hoping to find a baby one.
 
Y’all just have no idea. You see I know it won’t stop at one. Been here done that. I was hoping to find a baby one.
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No need to bang your head. You'll get a concussion a scientific study has shown that bettas are 27.667% more addictive than tobacco.
 
No need to bang your head. You'll get a concussion a scientific study has shown that bettas are 27.667% more addictive than tobacco.
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I bought a koi Betta because of his colours during the world cup IMG_20180710_173925958.jpgIMG_20180710_173923029.jpg
 
1. Tank #1 was a 2.5 g hexagonal with undergravel filtration (but no filter pad), dayglow gravel and plastic plants. No heater. 10% water changes every month. And about 30 guppies.
2. Tank #2 was a 5 g plastic hamster carrier/"aquarium", with a corner filter, black and teal gravel, plastic plants and so many tacky decorations it's amazing the fish could move. Again no heater and 10% water changes every month. Countless guppies, ramshorn snails AND a common pleco.
3. I sucked up so many fry up with the gravel vac :/
4. What's a fish first-aid kit? And why do all my guppies have white cottony stuff on them?
5. What do you mean they shut off heat to the dorms when we're on Christmas Break? (this was the end of my aquarium hobby for nearly 20 years)
6. Tank #3 was last summer--the old 2.5 g hexagonal, corner filter, no heater, same old gravel and plastic plants. Had it set up for 24hrs to "age" the water, then added 2 guppies. Which died within 2 weeks.
7. Huh? What's "cycling a tank" mean? >_<

... haven't made too many mistakes since then. Well, other than getting 2 male endler and 3 females, and putting them together in a 10 gallon quarantine tank. And ending up with 100+fry... and they're still coming, even though the males and females have been separated (yes, I knew that was going to happen...I just didn't expect it so soon :/)
 
I think mine may actually be the worst one here. When I got my very first fish tank, I asked the pet store what I could put in it, they said anything with green labels.
So, I went home with an odessa barb, a tiger barb, an albino cory, a fiddler crab and an angelfish.....for a 5.5gallon tank
 
I think mine may actually be the worst one here. When I got my very first fish tank, I asked the pet store what I could put in it, they said anything with green labels.
So, I went home with an odessa barb, a tiger barb, an albino cory, a fiddler crab and an angelfish.....for a 5.5gallon tank
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Ouch! That was an interesting experience. Poor things. And you must’ve been so disheartened!
 
Ouch! That was an interesting experience. Poor things. And you must’ve been so disheartened!
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Yes! No knowledge of the nitrogen cycle or anything. I was very young and listened solely to the pet store employees. However, right after that, I got a betta for that tank. Still didn't know much but at least I did something right!
 
Yes! No knowledge of the nitrogen cycle or anything. I was very young and listened solely to the pet store employees. However, right after that, I got a betta for that tank. Still didn't know much but at least I did something right!
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I had a common pleco because the “experts” said it was the best algae eater for a ten. He kept getting bigger and bigger tanks. Two common goldies too. Back then there was no nitrogen cycle or water conditioner or any other readily available info. Encyclopedia. All we had. The filters were the little drop in plastic with carbon and floss. Had to rehome the pleco when he got to be 16”. Went to a great LFS. Don’t have those anymore. Ahhh to be young. Lol
 
I had a common pleco because the “experts” said it was the best algae eater for a ten. He kept getting bigger and bigger tanks. Two common goldies too. Back then there was no nitrogen cycle or water conditioner or any other readily available info. Encyclopedia. All we had. The filters were the little drop in plastic with carbon and floss. Had to rehome the pleco when he got to be 16”. Went to a great LFS. Don’t have those anymore. Ahhh to be young. Lol
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Yes, I was actually given a bn pleco for my 5.5g, I still have her
 
Greatest mistake ever? Unleashing java moss upon my 55g. Took me months to get rid of it all because every time I would remove it all, a tiny sliver would survive by being caught under some drift wood or rocks and boom - it went on to repopulate the tank yet again.
 

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Oh my god, I have so many mistakes its unbelievable
Obviously being brain dead about cycling was one. Putting a little feeder goldfish in a 15 gallon (thankfully dechlorinated) tank. Then having her die. Frantically doing research about goldfish, then deciding to get another one. Finally, I learned about cycling; ignored the information and bought 4 guppies instead, hoping for luck. Ended up selling the 15 gal to buy a 3.5 gal; put 2 guppies in there, they both ended up dieing. Now I have 2 bettas living happily in their 3.5 and 5 gallon. . . Fish keeping is quite the joy
 
Confession #2
I entrusted a friend to take care of our tanks while we were out of town. Great guy, good with fish, worked in pet store for about 5 years. The filter intake sponge got knocked off sometime while we were gone and never put back on. We come home and I go to clean it as I see something up in it. I go to put it in a bowl in the sink (full of tank water of course ) and the sponge starts squirming. I then realize after a head count that the BN pleco is missing. He obviously is stuck and so I cut the sponge in half to help get him out. After I get him out, it becomes apparent the poor thing doesn't have a face from rubbing against the sponge trying to get out Lesson learned, make sure your sponges stay on! He's still eating and acting normal, we're just having to keep an eye on poor Nurgle.

Two weeks later than this original post and his skin has completely regrown and his bristles are coming back He still has a small white portion (bone?) that pokes out but he is still the chubby tank bully like normal.
 

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Wow we need to fire up this thread again!
I feel like duckweed wasn't fun lol.
My 20 gallon takes 1 week before the tank has a thick layer of it! So hard to feed them.
 
This is a thread for all of the weird/embarrassing things that have happened to you in the hobby! I’ll start.

I once had a bladder snail living in my toilet.
 
I once had a betta just straight up disappear without a trace. We never found a body in or near the tank. Still not sure if cats(possible) or aliens(probable).

This is a thread for all of the weird/embarrassing things that have happened to you in the hobby! I’ll start.

I once had a bladder snail living in my toilet.
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In the tank or the bowl?
 
I once (ok,maybe more than once) have eaten a snack after having my arms in my shrimp/snail tank without washing my hands/arms first. Yep. That has happened.
 
I once had a betta just straight up disappear without a trace. We never found a body in or near the tank. Still not sure if cats(possible) or aliens(probable).


In the tank or the bowl?
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The bowl

I once (ok,maybe more than once) have eaten a snack after having my arms in my shrimp/snail tank without washing my hands/arms first. Yep. That has happened.
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Yeah, i might do that too
 
I once prepared garlic flavored food for my fish and put in the garlic chunks with the food, tank smelled garlicy for a week. My dogs would sneer whenever they got close.
 
I once put together my wood hardscape for my 20 gallons long thinking they are going to sink. When I put my water in, all the wood floated. One month later, some of them are still floating
 

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Maybe not weird here...
I’ve spent hours comparing fish food ingredients, and only after finding “the best” do I narrow down the choices further by comparing price per gram.
 
I’ll start, I’m 18 years old and still close my eyes At the movies when a scary trailer comes on
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Don't be ashamed of that. I'm 44 and I still close my eyes at scary scenes and such.
 
Don't be ashamed of that. I'm 44 and I still close my eyes at scary scenes and such.
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I'm 59, and I don't go to scary movies. I never have.
 
I'm 59, and I don't go to scary movies. I never have.
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I'm not even sure the ones I watch are even classified as horror movies. I can't take most of them.
 
Personally, i LOVE scary movies! Pretty tame compared to real life IMO.

Me, i almost can't stand to watch the NFL ever, but i am hooelessly addicted to fantasy football.
 
Im a vegetarian but...
I ate a tuna melt panini the other day. I also feel temptation when it comes to mcdonalds chicken nuggets
 
Personally, i LOVE scary movies! Pretty tame compared to real life IMO.

Me, i almost can't stand to watch the NFL ever, but i am hooelessly addicted to fantasy football.
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I movie with a clown that can defy the laws of physics to... do horrible things to people, is tame compared to reality to you? The scariest thing I have seen in reality is a several inch spider. Not a tarantula, but a hairless spider. Those really creep me out. I love tarantulas though.
 
I movie with a clown that can defy the laws of physics to... do horrible things to people, is tame compared to reality to you? The scariest thing I have seen in reality is a several inch spider. Not a tarantula, but a hairless spider. Those really creep me out. I love tarantulas though.
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The difference is horror movies aren't real. The stuff i have seen, it is.
 

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Im a vegetarian but...
I ate a tuna melt panini the other day. I also feel temptation when it comes to mcdonalds chicken nuggets
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I would've thought being a vegetarian, a nice bloody steak would have been your downfall, not canned tuna and cheap chicken
I movie with a clown that can defy the laws of physics to... do horrible things to people, is tame compared to reality to you? The scariest thing I have seen in reality is a several inch spider. Not a tarantula, but a hairless spider. Those really creep me out. I love tarantulas though.
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Real life can be terrible. I mean reality vs. make-believe, I choose make-believe. It's why we love entertainment.

My confession is I hate people. There are a lot of great individuals, but in a general sense, I hate everybody. I blame cancel culture.
 
Im a vegetarian but...
I ate a tuna melt panini the other day. I also feel temptation when it comes to mcdonalds chicken nuggets
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I'm not sure McDonald's chicken nuggets are actually considered meat so you may be safe there.
 
Cancel culture is simply "justified" cyberbullying
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The irony is, in my observations, is it is very often done by the crowd that preaches against bullying! Which is why i listen to almost no one besides my wife and the signer of my paycheck.
 
I’ve had the idea of starting a thread where users make confessions about their fishkeeping experience for a while, so here we are. Your confession(s), should you choose to participate, could be anything related to your contribution to the hobby that you feel you’ve gotten wrong, or even funny stuff you’ve experienced as a fishkeeper.

I’ll start: I don’t use live plants; they scare me. Keep in mind that I’ve been keeping fish for almost five years now!
 
OK I'll confess Every time I do a lovely water change, half an hour later if I see the fish having done a poo I can't help scooping it out with a net. It's like an OCD compulsion..
 
This is gonna be a sad confession lol. A few years ago I had a betta in a 2.5 gallon, and was completely unaware of the nitrogen cycle. Didn't even know I should've gotten a test kit. Didn't even have a thermometer on the tank. I only did water changes once every week (usually just 25%, and I always conditioned the water) and would siphon all the gravel during the water change. I thought that was enough to keep the water clean since I read (without much context, and I didn't look into it further) that "too many water changes can stress out your fish, so you should only do a partial water change once a week." That water quality must've been so bad and I'm realizing probably the cause of that betta's fin rot. : (
 
"too many water changes can stress out your fish, so you should only do a partial water change once a week."
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At least now we know as much as 50% weekly is safe. What does the source even mean by ”partial?” Wasn’t your fault!
 
I used to keep my 10g (my first tank) almost always halfway filled, because I never topped off the water or did a water change.
 

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