Member Spotlight on Shawnie

Hi Everyone! My name is Shawn (yes my mom named a girl Shawn) aka Shawnie, to friends and family. I'm newly single after 21 years of marriage. I have 5 beautiful daughters and 3 amazing grand-daughters. I live in Raymond NH and have spent my life on the East Coast. I have a great boyfriend whom I've recently got involved with, who has had fish before, but he says I'm over board now with my obsession. I'm very MUCH a people person, and I strive on making others happy. I love chatting online and off and as my profession as a Hairstylist for 17 years, my chatter keeps my business successful. Last year I lost my mother and grand-mother within a week of each other, and let me tell EVERYONE, that life is full of such surprises that you should always cherish each moment and not let the petty things disrupt your living happily.

I have many friends whom I adore as much as my family. I love being outdoors, whether it be a nice BBQ on a hot summer day, or strolling along the beach with my girls, to hanging out at a campground in the mountains. We have the best of both worlds here in New Hampshire, so taking advantage of nature is a huge part of my life.

I have a big heart for all animals, and fish have always been in my family for years. Prior to finding Fishlore on one of my searches, I had no clue about the nitrogen cycle or any other proper care of fish keeping. All my life I've had either goldfish (in a bowl of course) or some kind of easy keepers. Although now I know they were easy because of their hardiness and not so much of proper keeping.

My personal tank as an adult, I've had for over 8 years. It started out as a 55 gallon terrarium with a few goldfish on one side, and some red belly newts and small chameleons on the other. Then I turned it back into an entire fish tank with Lion head goldfish. That was an amazing tank for approximately 2 years. Then velvet disease took over and I lost all my fish.

After joining Fishlore, I got the knowledge that my Oscars, whom I've had for 6 years, shouldn't be in the 30 gallon no matter how much room I thought they had. So since then, I now have them in a 75 gallon.

I have the 55 gallon as a community tank of rescues. Most of the fish in there shouldn't be together, another thing I've learned on Fishlore, but after having it for so many months, as the rescue tank, I haven't changed it as everyone still gets along.

I also have a 20 gallon with a pair of convict cichlids and their babies, a 10 gallon divided with betta boys, and a 3 gallon betta tank. All my fish are healthy happy fish since gaining the knowledge of fish keeping from Fishlore and its members and Mods.

My future goals with fish is to have a 200 gallon freshwater and an outdoor pond of at least 1000 gallons. Certainly the pond is on hold until I'd have enough space to bring the fish inside for the winter. At least I learned from Fishlore, to not purchase or make things for fish unless you have a definite future for them first! We always say we will upgrade, but most of the time that never happens. I'd love to be a responsible Angelfish breeder as I feel those fish are so angelic. I have 3 of them now, but no pairing has happened. I'm still learning a lot about them, so in time I hope to have that happen as well.

I think that for anyone asked to write something about themselves, it is very difficult. Or maybe that's just something I have a hard time doing. But, I'd very much like to thank all of the Moderators, Members, and of course Mike, for the help and knowledge I've received from EVERYONE at Fishlore. The patience and kindness shown on this terrific site couldn't ever be more appreciated by me and my fish. I've made some great friends here and I hope to continue to do so.

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