One Thing to Become an Advanced Fishkeeper/Aquarist from a Fish Biologist

[@StephenP2003]

Excellent. I wonder if asking "why" and "how" is so much discouraged when we're children that it's greatly affected our ability to think critically as adults. I've seen social media creator/influencers take on this almost parental role ("this is how it is because I say it is"), maybe because it's more convenient, or because it's better for their channel's growth and health if we remain dependent on their answers. Obviously, this is not just limited to the aquarium hobby, but at least in this space there is a chance to make a small impact with more content like this. It seems like social media, particularly facebook and youtube, is where most new hobbyists are getting their start, but a fundamental flaw of these platforms is that there is an economy of attention (views, watch time) that overshadows critical thinking. Tackling misinformation head-on seems like a losing battle, but I do hope that for every thousand people who just do what they're told, at least one person cares enough to not only ask "why," but also learn how to find the answer.

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thanks! It probably does stem from that parental or school atmosphere. Very different from how you're meant to learn at university as well. It also bugs me that when the information is entirely wrong or there is drama, they always say "I'm not an expert, this is for entertainment". The more content beyond the beginner level is always needed, too much is the basics and I think people don't know where to look or go for the next level beyond buying a different fish. I personally would like to see bigger channels with less tanks, to show you don't need a fish room to get anywhere in the hobby. There is an idea that big hobby names just some how absorb knowledge from having more aquariums.

[@samscalz]

Yes, indeed. Having the advantage of getting to know the biggest KZbin "stars" as I travel to shows and symposiums across the world, I can assess, on a very personal level, the comprehensive education and experience that many influencers actually possess. Very few have a true understanding of what they are trying to convey to their viewers. They can repeat what they have heard, but they rarely actually grasp the concepts. It is even harder for them to disseminate the information in a way that allows their followers to truly understand and be able to apply to their fishkeeping. People like Rebeccca, Leandeo Sousa, and many other "science first" members of the catfish community, have innate or at least a rudimentary knowledge of the biology and natural history of the Loricariids, thus having an advantage when creating content on social media platforms. Others may have theatrical advantages. Some have the gift of combining both traits. Hopefully, that is the direction that social media progresses.

[@2ndflooraquatics609]

Love this! It's like I have this hunger to know the why behind the things I'm told to do for my fish. When I get lazy & skip over diving deeper into the reason I'm doing something, it always bites me in the @$$! Maybe not right away, but it always does! Thank you for sharing your knowledge & experience with us.

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you! It definitely makes the hobby more interesting when deeper diving into a topic. There is always interesting ideas behind everything in fishkeeping.

[@jonbuckley]

Great video. Been watching all your Pleco videos. I have learned loads.

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you!

[@MrG.Ivan76]

Not sure where I heard it but recently heard "we aren't fish keepers we are water keepers" makes you think Awesome as always Rebecca 🙏🌈💚🦐🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you! I think also bacteria keepers as thinking about how the bacteria work changes quite a lot.

[@MrG.Ivan76]

@@FreshwaterIchthyology the fish are the fruits of our labour

[@Hydrahandle7]

I really appreciate your work! Well done, Please just keep talking about stuff like this.. I keep a lot of plecos and ever bit of information is a great sounding board to me.. Be blessed!

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you!

[@AquariumAdventures]

There is a process called "Five Whys" which as the name would suggest encourages you to ask "why?" five times when presented with any given fact or problem - it's a process developed in Japan for Toyota I think, designed to get to root causes of problems or understand the reason a given outcome happens, rather than just accepting that it does. I learned about it through work but it works in almost all avenues of life. Doesn't have to be '5' rigidly but that usually gets you there. It's also quite humbling when you apply it to your own knowledge. For example "we need to do water changes" 1. Why - example answer might be "to reduce nitrates" 2. Why - because Nitrates can be toxic 3. Why - because they cause stress and stunt grown in fish 4. Why - because they convert oxygen-carrying pigments to forms that are incapable of carrying oxygen, reducing oxygen availability 5. Why - THEY JUST DO! So I only knew up to point 3, had to look up 4 and will need to do more research to answer 5!

[@b666nilsson7]

Great video we all have different water quality. And have to learn how and why some work and others dont.

[@aquariumdelirium]

Great video Rebecca 👍👍

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you!

[@DJAAquatics]

Very informative video

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you :)

[@kmingtam]

great video. the researcher mindset is an acquired skill. most people just want a simple answer from a quick search, and will not even bother to cross-check multiple sources for validity. too much information exists nowadays, anyone can say anything, the capacity to assess the information is important. unfortunately not many will, or can, effortfully practice that skill. with regard to the hobby, for websites with general basic information, they serve the beginners well, even if the information is not completely accurate: the fish live fine and the system is doing all right. practices such as "not to clean media while changing water" or "not to rinse media with tap water" are myths, but at least they do not lead to harmful consequences. whether or not the beginner will dive deep (and how deep) later is up to them. for most, other aspects of life get in the way and the hobby remains a hobby: do enough to keep things looking nice with some basic understanding, but no more efforts to understand the complicated science behind. it is good that a channel like yours exists, for those who want to learn more. too bad the current trend seems to align with "attention-seeking", "novelty", "view-driven", etc., somewhat of a neglect for the fundamentals. it is interesting that many experts in the hobby have some science and research-related career, that for sure serves them well.

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you! I agree, the researcher mindset takes time, it also makes the hobby so much more interesting. I agree there is a lot of viewer driven content, anything that looks impressive or makes fishkeeping less effort. It's surprising how many researchers in freshwater fishes keep fishes as well. Fishkeeping events at least in the UK can be quite scientific as well, many of the talks are either by scientists or from that angle.

[@kmingtam]

@@FreshwaterIchthyology wish i could join these meetings! one day i will, when i am done with my degree and have more time to travel

[@jacobdyas4226]

I think you should start a brand with what you think is missing like a root tab with seeds moss beneficial bacteria sometimes of the sort get all your grate ideas into something. Love the videos, love the vast topics some people do little topics and spread a video you talk everything like battling a dragon

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you! I would start a brand but then I don't want to be biased particularly regarding fish foods. I also couldn't do any sponsorships unless I'm 100% behind the brand but I have done a few trials to give my honest opinion.

[@Aaron-sx6en]

Thanks for all of your amazing informative videos. Is there a possibility you could use a microphone as I have trouble hearing/understanding you sometimes.

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thanks! I need to fix the microphone I used previously.

[@adieaf61]

excellent but slow down a bit for us slow guys. 🙂

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Thank you! I'll try to be slower in future.

[@brandonbruhn8601]

Random question but hoping you see it here. I have juvenile 264 and 091. I’m in the middle of shuffling other fish around as they come out of quarantine and grow out for larger tanks. I have 2 tanks that will be empty of fish that’d I’d like to move the two species too, but the empty tanks are loaded with ramshorn snails. My question is would the plecos bloat/over consume the snails? Or maybe you’ve seen/heard they’ll just eat as they need?

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

They potentially can bloat from consuming snails but few will do so and if they do it'll be the shell and all so shouldn't be an issue. So I wouldn't be too worried.

[@RacecarsAndRicefish]

Not sure the best means to reach out but do you know much about the "Giant Otocinclus" (Hypoptopoma gulare)? I've got one of them plus some other (very cool looking!) Hypoptopoma species and I'm trying to absolute best to keep them fed. This second fish I mention I'm particularly concerned/excited about due to how cool it looks. I would love your ideas. Also, what would I have to do to get my fish a proper species name? I believe it is "Hypoptopoma sp(1)" on planet catfish

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

I've worked with a few Hypoptopoma. I find more then often what is sold as H. gulare is usually H. psilogaster. They are generally really forgiving and hardy but do benefit from more algaes. What do you mean by get a fish a proper name?

[@All_Things_Fish]

A lack of understanding actual concepts and simply doing what people are told they "should" do leads to endless problems and frustration in the long run.

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

Definitely, if they don't understand a topic then they can't problem solve at all.