The People In Our Hobby

The other day I was cleaning a new tank I just bought for my girlfriend and I was thinking about the types of people in our hobby and community so I decided to share a list with the tiers that I came up with. Feel free to contribute.

Level 0 – The I like seeing fish level.

This person likes what they see when they go to the pet store or a hobbyist’s house. They might not want to actually keep fish or a tank but they can enjoy it from time to time.

Level 1 - The I HAVE a fish level.

Let’s face it, you probably got a fish (more than likely a goldfish or a betta) as a prize in some carnival game or your kid is really pushy and now you have a fish. You don’t really have anywhere to put the fish but you are sure there is some old glass bowl somewhere in a cabinet. That should do it! Right?

Level 2 – I like my fish.

You tried a bowl; you might have bought your fish with an actual intention of keeping it as a pet. You like your fish and you want it to be happy, so you will give it some extra food, put in some nice colorful gravel for your bowl, clean it out every once in a while so your fish is swimming in “clean water” (obviously filled with clorine).

Level 3- Ok. I messed up. I need I an aquarium

You realize that everything you did up to this point was wrong. You learn about the cycle and about the miracle of Prime and other declorinators. You go to the pet store and buy everything they say you need: filter, declorinator, an air pump, maybe a test or two and a heater but not much else. Maybe you buy a test. You now do some water changes, the PROPER WAY. Maybe you get to the bonus level and come to fishlore. You think to yourself: everything is going to be fine.

Level 4- Oh GOD! I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING: TIME TO FREAK OUT!!

Something inevitably goes wrong. YOU FREAK OUT! You need help NOW! You run to every source of knowledge you know. With luck your problem is fixed and you didn’t loose any fish or crashed your tank. And now you can proceed to the next level

Level 5- On my way to the top.

Now you have some amount of knowledge, you know how to proceed in a crisis and you can notice strange behavior and can act upon it. Maybe you get into breeding or maybe into some harder and more expensive fish. You can even give some good advice. You know you have a lot to learn.

Level 6- “The fishlore legend”

OK. You have been doing this way too long. You know the breeding habits of fish you never kept, and cure to diseases you never encountered. People recognize you as a good source of information and most level 5s envy your expertize and your tanks and fish. You have bred fish effortlessly and maybe even made some money. You know a lot but not all. Yet…

Level 7- “The Rachels, Joeys and Corys”

You somehow made your life revolve around your hobby: your job, your friends, the people you meet, etc. There is little you can't give an opinion on and you most likely know the hobby better than your LFS’s owner or perhaps you are your LFS owner. You can do great things to the community and to the hobby. Your efforts if you really put your mind to it could save a species. You are in the forefront of the aquarium hobby. Make sure the rest of us have someone to look up to.

 

Definitely at Level 5... and since there are only 7 levels that is making me proud/concerned. lol

 

Love this!!
I knew I was in the hobby when I wanted a pet. I got one betta then wanted more... Here we are now with 30fish and 2 geckos!

 

I'm definitely a level five

 

I want to say I'm on level 7. I'm on a first name basis with all 3 of my LFS and a number of LPS. I've been in the hobby for about 17 years now. I was offered my first job by my favorite LFS at the age of 14 because I had so much knowledge, more than most of their employees tha had worked there for years.

 

These seem pretty accurate! I’ve definitly seen all these types, and have been a few myself. Wish we had more level 6 and 7’s, but it seems like a lot of them have left now. Granted the ones we still have are amazing and do such good help for others.

 

I really make my life around my fish, I even have a fish tank in my bed room. I am ALWAYS thinking "what plant could I get" "Would Chinese ivy look good in there?" or "I really should redo that tank" I am ALWAYS correcting employees and telling them "Sorry, but a betta can't be kept in 1 quart of water"

 

Can I go back to level 1?

 

Haha, great thread! Here is a level 5 maybe? According to the title I personally think an emotional emphasis needs to be attached to all levels:
Level 0 - I tolerate fish in my house and might consider thinking of them as a being
Level 1 - I like having fish because I like the presence of them and I like looking at an aquarium, so They will hopefully survive.

Level 2 - I like fish. I want to care for them, even if it puts the pressure on

Level 3 - I am getting attached to fish and will do what I reasonably can to ensure their wellbeing

Level 4 - I love fish and will take pride not only in caring for mine but for all fish. With the bonus level of - I need fish to keep sane.

Level 5 - I am in a relationship with fish and rarely doubt my hobby

Level 6 - I fully accept that pet fish are dependent on their owner. I also depend on them and rely on them being well and alive when I come home. We’re basically married and the best examples for all other married couples

Level 7- In have accepted that fish are my life beyond all reason. I could sacrifice my sanity for them if I had to. Now there is no point in hiding this and I will be the superhero of fish welfare. Bonus level: Plant Welfare Officer.

 

I think I went from level 0 to 4 in a few hours when I went to the fair this summer.

Been stuck on this level for a few months now.

 

I was at level -1. That is I see a fish tank and don't care.

 

I was at level -1. That is I see a fish tank and don't care.

Gasp, I can’t believe you used to be like that! Thank goodness you came to the dark side!

 

I do not know where Sunhawk and I would fit in with the list but between us we have 80 years in fish keeping. We both suffer from rather advanced M.T.S, AND this year I have spent a shocking amount of the money meant to finish the work my Harley needs....

Help! Stop me before I aqua scape again.......

 

I am definitely a level seven, seems to fit me.

 

I do not know where Sunhawk and I would fit in with the list but between us we have 80 years in fish keeping. We both suffer from rather advanced M.T.S, AND this year I have spent a shocking amount of the money meant to finish the work my Harley needs....

Help! Stop me before I aqua scape again.......

Stop. Definitely don’t do a beautiful and stunning scape you’ll be very happy with for a year then decide you need to switch it up and make it even better. Stop... or don’t... GO!!!

 

I think we need a level 8 that is: I spend a lot of my free time on Fishlore trying to use my knowledge to help others learn and become better fish keepers.

 

You can be at different levels with different species because of all the variations in care. The big one is fresh versus salt and then there are some differences between how one cares for tropicals versus African cichlids versus Goldfish....

 

I'm probably a 5 but I'm pretty close to a 6 in a few situations. I tend to research on tons of things but don't have actual experience with them because I like the beginner fish more than say a cichlid. I'm sure I could keep more advanced fish but I love my bettas and platies more haha

 

I think I'm a 6. I work for my LFS installing and maintaining aquariums, and work in their storefront. I tend to wayyy overreserch everything too, and am always looking for new challenges and information.

 

Gasp, I can’t believe you used to be like that! Thank goodness you came to the dark side!

Yeah, I must be getting old cause I'm also into growing houseplants and gardening and dreaming of owning a small farm with chickens and rabbits. Pretty soon I'll start birdwatching and taking up golf, like my father. "Old people" stuff.

 

I really make my life around my fish, I even have a fish tank in my bed room. I am ALWAYS thinking "what plant could I get" "Would Chinese ivy look good in there?" or "I really should redo that tank" I am ALWAYS correcting employees and telling them "Sorry, but a betta can't be kept in 1 quart of water"

I have 3 tanks in my room... OOPS...

 

I see myself as a level 5 but I do walk dangerously close to 6. For now I have too much stuff to deal with and be at level 6 but I would if I could.

If anyone can think of any more levels and people in our hobby we can start adding to the pile I like the level 8 suggestion and also the -1. Let me know what you guys think.

 

So can there be a level 5.5 option. That's where I see myself, because I know the care of species I've never had, I kinda know how to breed a bunch of fish and have never bred them, but I don't know a whole lot about diseases. But I'm hopefully going to be interviewing for a position at a fish store af the end of the December, crossing my fingers.

 

I’m probably a level 0, I don’t own any fish but I sure do think they’re swell!

 

I am about a level five moved up from r a few months ago when I remember that I was a level 2 when I was five oh the good old time anyways, I think it’s funny that I used to be a level 3 less than a year ago. I read way to many books about fish but had no first had experience

 

oh where the award..yay..its jump until level 5 if u breed guppy with 30female and 7male after 3month..hehe