Unpopular Fish Opinions

I am aware that cyanide was used to catch saltwater fish, but also heard that even this wasn’t practiced as it once was. It’s the freshwater fish, specifically otocinclus that I question its use on. Seems questionable to practice this with such small fish. I expect a cast net (throw-net) to be quite sufficient. In fact, it can be very efficient in doing the job of catching lots of fish in a relatively short period of time, with a practiced hand.

I never even heard of cyanide fishing. I guess ignorance is bliss. I'll look that up about ottos too.

 

I never even heard of cyanide fishing. I guess ignorance is bliss. I'll look that up about ottos too.

I also question cyanide use in freshwater, because I ask myself, as a fisherman, why cyanide is used in the first place, particularly in regards to saltwater species—especially when there are better, more effective methods of capturing lots of fish quickly? I suspect the reason to be that they are reef fish, where netting may not be as effective. I find it odd that the same method to be used on schooling and shoaling fish. This is why I think it’s heresay, for the most part.

 

I also question cyanide use in freshwater, because I ask myself, as a fisherman, why cyanide is used in the first place, particularly in regards to saltwater species—especially when there are better, more effective methods of capturing lots of fish quickly? I suspect the reason to be that they are reef fish, where netting may not be as effective. I find it odd that the same method to be used on schooling and shoaling fish. This is why I think it’s heresay, for the most part.

In a brief search, it has been done for fresh water fish. Trout and so forth, it is illegal in the us. It still happens in south east Asia. It did start with riff fish for aquariums.
As far as for ottos, it seems to be a rumor. So many ottos die in the first few days, people started saying that it's due to cyanide fishing. Because cyanide is still used to catch aquarium fish, it seems to be a logical reason. Not so logical if you know a little bit about how ottos are shipped to the LFS, put in overcrowd bare bottom tanks etc...
More often then not they die of starvation. But yea it seems to be a really bad rumor that people hear and keep repeating.

 

Agree. That can't possible be unpopular, is it? People just assume there ph will remain stable?

It's unpopular. Most people just get the master test kit & call it a day.

 

It's unpopular. Most people just get the master test kit & call it a day.

Wow. Testing water source parameters including GH/KH is fishkeeping 101, I thought. Why doesn't the master kit come with GH/KH? It really shouldn't be called a master kit. In my opinion. It makes it sound like this is all you'll ever need.

 

HI guys. I suppose I could say that some of you asked for it... You're right, we have been watching and 'censorship' has recently occurred on this thread.

I've quite enjoyed the light banter going on here, and many posts made me smile or even giggle with delight. I also believe that unpopular opinions must be shared so that we as a people may change for the better. With that in mind, please know that nobody has a right to attack others or be condescending. So, here are some things to consider...

To those of you that find this thread to be your standing ground for bashing others, including public figures such as those on YouTube... you are wrong. Fishlore is a community for helping others, finding your own answers, sharing experience and even opinions, yes, but it is not a place for sounding off against those you dislike. Specifically attacking people goes against the word community after all.

Fishlore is a place that we all want to be welcoming for anyone and everyone. For that reason, moderation and censorship are necessary. This is not a place to plant your flag or stand on your soapbox. Sorry folks, I don't like to be heavy-handed, but I must say, ridicule of the staff here and complaints about moderation are getting quite tiring. These are the people that make this place what it is, so please be aware that comments of this nature will not be tolerated.

Thank you.

And my own unpopular opinion... Moderation and censorship are necessary for the kind of environment we all want here.

Wait, when were you made a moderator?! Congratulations, you'll be great!

 

Wait, when were you made a moderator?! Congratulations, you'll be great!

Thank you!! That means a lot. The 'promotion' just happened a few weeks ago and I couldn't be prouder to have the trust of the excellent staff here.

 

How long has your tank been cycled?

Depends what tank you're talking about lol. I have a tank that's at least ten years old and all others are a little over a year now (had to shimmy stuff around and rescape).

 

Depends what tank you're talking about lol. I have a tank that's at least ten years old and all others are a little over a year now (had to shimmy stuff around and rescape).

At this point you don't need to worry about cycled media in the filters. Your tank is well established and should have plenty of BB in the substrate. If you still want to do DIY filter media and cartridges.

 

... that letting your son have a Spongebob pineapple house in his puffer tank might not be the end of the world afterall >_>

Hey I have one of those in with one of my bettas!! Lol. I have patrick in with another. But I'm a kid at heart.

 

At this point you don't need to worry about cycled media in the filters. Your tank is well established and should have plenty of BB in the substrate. If you still want to do DIY filter media and cartridges.

Oh no, I meant modifying all the filter media to hagen/fluval filter media. but I guess there's no sense in disturbing the BB, or rather "fixing something that isn't broken". Lol

 

Comparatively speaking, fish ARE low maintenance pets.

Let's compare two of my favorite pets, my poodle Caesar and my betta Nier. Caesar requires numerous potty breaks during the day, two feedings, lots and lots of outdoor exercise, potty and behavioral training, and daily brushings to stay happy and healthy. He also requires vaccinations, regular check-ups, and if he got sick, it would cost us hundreds of dollars to fix.

Then there's Nier. He lives in a well-balanced 5.5 Walstad tank, which requires only small water changes and plant trimmings, and not even every week. His daily care consists of a single feeding. If he gets sick, medication and aquarium salt wouldn't cost more than $20 combined.

Yes, fish can be much more difficult than that. Some are much more sensitive and finicky than a betta, huge tanks are difficult, and that's to say nothing on saltwater. Thing is, not ALL pet fish require tons of attention and care on a daily basis. All dogs, on the other hand, require personal attention on a frequent basis to stay healthy and happy.

However if someone is looking for pet of any kind and is unwilling to do basic research or unwilling to give it any attention on a daily basis, they're honestly better off adopting a cactus.

 

The only reason why it costs $20 to treat a sick fish is that we are purely guessing what is wrong with it and hoping the medication we choose will do something. And in the USA, the meds are poorly regulated on top of that as many (most?) are not FDA approved. We aren't allowed to do this sort of thing with dogs and cats, as that is considered practicing veterinary medicine without a license and will get a person arrested.

Fish keepers are put between a rock and a hard place because we don't have the equipment (microscopes, laboratory equipment) or the training (identify which pathogen, if it even is a pathogen, or disease) to properly assess the illness. We also don't have access to regulated medications to treat said illness. Diseases mimic each other, as do pathogens and environmental issues. And the veterinary community has deemed it not worth their time or effort to treat fish. (Or reptiles, or amphibians, or birds.)

With a dog we aren't going to look at symptoms of severe lethargy and heavy breathing and immediately guess it was ammonia in the air or a bacterial infection that will respond to x-antibiotic. We take them to the vet to make sure it isn't heart or lung damage, or a stroke, or cancer, or asthma, or an infection somewhere, or diabetes, or organ failure, or parasites. Bloodwork will be run to see physical values of the state the animal and identify the issue, and further imaging may be needed to see if there is internal changes. If it were an infection, that vet is going to know what the most likely strains of bacteria are and will dose the proper antibiotic to treat it, as not all antibiotics will work for all infections and not all will work in the same way based on where the infection is located. A really good vet will send out for a culture as confirmation the right medication is being used if there is no response in a few days, rather than risk complications of throwing more meds at the problem.

Meanwhile, here we are going.... It looks like dropsy (which is a symptom, not a diagnosis) so give it these two meds for a week and try some salt. Oh, that didn't work? Try this other med instead.

It is absolutely crazy to have a treat a living thing this way!!

 

The only reason why it costs $20 to treat a sick fish is that we are purely guessing what is wrong with it and hoping the medication we choose will do something. And in the USA, the meds are poorly regulated on top of that as many (most?) are not FDA approved. We aren't allowed to do this sort of thing with dogs and cats, as that is considered practicing veterinary medicine without a license and will get a person arrested.

Fish keepers are put between a rock and a hard place because we don't have the equipment (microscopes, laboratory equipment) or the training (identify which pathogen, if it even is a pathogen, or disease) to properly assess the illness. We also don't have access to regulated medications to treat said illness. Diseases mimic each other, as do pathogens and environmental issues. And the veterinary community has deemed it not worth their time or effort to treat fish. (Or reptiles, or amphibians, or birds.)

With a dog we aren't going to look at symptoms of severe lethargy and heavy breathing and immediately guess it was ammonia in the air or a bacterial infection that will respond to x-antibiotic. We take them to the vet to make sure it isn't heart or lung damage, or a stroke, or cancer, or asthma, or an infection somewhere, or diabetes, or organ failure, or parasites. Bloodwork will be run to see physical values of the state the animal and identify the issue, and further imaging may be needed to see if there is internal changes. If it were an infection, that vet is going to know what the most likely strains of bacteria are and will dose the proper antibiotic to treat it, as not all antibiotics will work for all infections and not all will work in the same way based on where the infection is located. A really good vet will send out for a culture as confirmation the right medication is being used if there is no response in a few days, rather than risk complications of throwing more meds at the problem.

Meanwhile, here we are going.... It looks like dropsy (which is a symptom, not a diagnosis) so give it these two meds for a week and try some salt. Oh, that didn't work? Try this other med instead.

It is absolutely crazy to have a treat a living thing this way!!

Agree. 100%
Well said.

Popular: quatentine new fish for +or- 4 weeks then treat with prazapro "just in case"

My unpopular opinion: quarantine new fish, but..... Do not medicate a healthy fish. " just in case" is no reason to stress or kill a fish with medication.

 

Meanwhile, here we are going.... It looks like (which is a symptom, not a diagnosis) so give it these two meds for a week and try some salt. Oh, that didn't work? Try this other med instead.

It is absolutely crazy to have a treat a living thing this way!!

What you described is true and, the usual procedure. Sure, it's not ideal but at least you could get a more educated guess and this is what we are left with. Guesses. Imagine trying to do that before the internet!

 

What you described is true and, the usual procedure. Sure, it's not ideal but at least you could get a more educated guess and this is what we are left with. Guesses. Imagine trying to do that before the internet!

Yep. Try it 40 years ago. No meds for fish were available. All we had was salt. Your fish knowledge came from the 2 books the library had, or fishkeeping magazines.
The LFS knew as much back then as they do now Lol.