Lets Talk | Leaving the Hobby | What Type of Fishkeeper | Fish Room Chores

[@mattkinsella9856]

I can totally relate and I've been fishkeeping for over 30 years too. I have started to sit with my tanks more in the winter because with all the lights on, it gives me a bit a "tropical" feeling when it's dark and cold outside. That also boosts my interest in the hobby. The other thing I've done in the last few years is concentrate on breeding my show guppies and work on improving the one strain I'm working on. The reason for this is it's easy but also "involved" enough to not be boring. If I need to add an extra tank it might only be a 5 or 10 gallon and anyway I try to keep to just 5 tanks if possible. I can still go to fish shops and occasionally buy a pleco or other fish that I can keep with my guppies. Even some fish that might eat guppy fry I will just add to my male grow out tank. Every now and then I find a high end guppy I can add to my breed stock in a good fish shop too. I used to keep cichlids and bred lots of different fish but it eventually gets annoying and too much work. I can go away for a week and the guppies look after themselves, I can lose interest for a few weeks and other than a small amount of food and the odd small water change, they just carry on and I can pick up where I left off with selecting breeders and seperating fry weeks later. You can't do that with sensitive cichlids. Even if a small fish dies at the back of the tank you don't notice, it won't cause a tank crash. If a big fish dies and you don't see it or you're away, the whole tank could be in trouble. It's easy to always want more and different but it has helped me to try to hyper focus on one type of easy fish. Sorry for the long reply, just wanted to share my own experience 😊

[@bigfishlad4847]

Love this comment mate its great to hear you building the hobby around you and something that fits, I also love the focus you have on one specific thing in guppies, I love it mate

[@brucecroft3232]

I'm so glad your keeping your fish hobby, enjoy your plants, I keep my monster for as long as I can,but I do move things around to get new fish,I have 14 tanks. Good luck coming your way mate.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Thanks Bruce dont think I will ever leave this hobby mate haha we are in to deep arnt we lol, You have some beautiful monsters too

[@Viking_Aquatics_UK]

Sorry for your loss mate on the Angelfish. Always upsetting loosing a fish mate. I definitely understand what you mean Paul. I think also because we read and research so much, we fall in love with new species all the time and then plans have to change. Always onwards and upwards though brother.👊

[@bigfishlad4847]

Very true Daniel the accsess to the internet whteher be it reaserch like you say or access to buy new fish changed the hobby big time, cheers mate

[@MakoyUnggoy]

I tell you what mate, my mrs is so impressed with that plant collection, you'll be starting her off again soon if you keep showing them haha! Those angels at the end are all little beauties, great all round quality!

[@bigfishlad4847]

Haha treat her mate 😂🌱 thank you a really nice Angel these to be fair and the young are really starting to show theor own patterns now

[@AquariumAdventures]

I can't get past the fact you have your Christmas tree up in November!

[@bigfishlad4847]

😂 Technically Jo as put it up lol

[@brucecroft3232]

Okay Paul never leave the hobby cuz you have a lot of fans out there and I think I'm number one I enjoy your videos I enjoy your commentary and I think you and your wife are just all around really nice people I wish we lived closer so we could be friends

[@bigfishlad4847]

@@brucecroft3232 Aw Bruce thats so nice of you and yes I noticed you and Jo interacting on facebook lol you guys are amazing too

[@aquariumdelirium]

For me it’s the dark nights makes me want to downscale and the spring makes me want to do more, Just need to weather the winter paul

[@bigfishlad4847]

Yes Mal thats it like today I am due to start my waterchanges didnt happen shitty cold snowy weather haha

[@aquariumdelirium]

@ I forced myself to do them as soon as I got in from work today just to chill lol

[@bigfishlad4847]

@aquariumdelirium hahaha best way

[@cannonfishkeeping3713]

Hey brother, I understand you 100% I’m down to one tank now myself, ppl think I’m out of the hobby but no I just needed to take a step back. I love what you do man and respect your choices, you been one of the biggest inspirations to me. It’s also winter here in Canada and I also hate winter. Anyways keep doing you man, haters are gunna hate no matter what you do.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Aw thanks mate I appreciate you fella hope your doing ok and its nice to heae your still keeping fish

[@pattys_aquatics]

I get it Paul, I get bored sometimes with tanks and to get reinvested in it I may rescape it or find new fish for them instead of taking them down but I also have dirted tanks which would be a lot more work. 😅 I’m a very impatient person at times which works completely against my style of fish keeping sometimes but that’s what makes us all human . Just like all our tanks can be different whether it be minor or major differences so can we as humans be but we all have the same thing in common and that’s our love for this aquatic hobby. Loving the vlog videos Paul 😁

[@bigfishlad4847]

Its hard sometimes isnt when the distarction is out there so when we do get bored theres always an alternative too, I get the impatient but as well haha cheers mate

[@williammitchell2846]

I'm much like yourself, I've been keeping fish from the early 70s, I've gone from 1 tank to 20 back to 1 up to 10 and down again, from big tanks to small, but like yourself I've always had 1 tank in the house, and now I'm moving into a big fishroom with mates. I think this is something I I will never stop doing. My retirement is coming up so I'll be spending much more time in my fishroom 😊

[@bigfishlad4847]

Sounds exciting with what you have coming up with the fishroom, happy retirement and I couldnt think of anything better after retirement

[@kotywilliams6957]

Hey man! Been following for about 2 years now if not more. Personally I’ve found that in the past I used to be pretty eclectic with my tanks, constantly trying new things and swapping fish. I’ve slowed down quite a bit over the past few years and really tried to plan more long term with what I really want. Growing out groups to get a pair and such. But I get the itch to try something else all the time lol. How did you weigh the option of letting go some of the fish you had for an extended period of time? I’ve got a few that I’ve had for a couple years and love them, but honestly am only holding onto them so I know they don’t just get thrown in someone else’s big cichlid tank and get beat up. I don’t blame you at all for taking the winter months to reset and pick back up in a different direction in the warmer months 🤷‍♂️

[@bigfishlad4847]

I love growing out groups I miss that to be honest nothing better I dont think, the hard one for me to let go was my Trimac had him for 5 years and just kept sitting on it but now I have let him go to a bigger tank I feel better, its the same with the L95 he is going to an 8x2x2 next week I think having social media helps me to find the right people Thank you so much for your support

[@wheelsandwisdomuk2943]

Sorry for your loss I know how it feels I had a bad water spike and lost a lot of fish my main pleco breeders so I went down to one tank I am now creating a fish room for breeding I watched you and a lot of others we all have losses I’m 68 still working in a warehouse i love fish keeping can I breed for profit well I have had a lot of comments no you can’t your too old etc well let’s see I have had fish for many years I do things on a whim but I have thought this through and researched when I have lost fish I used to think why do I bother but when research it helps me I love your fish shop tours keep it up also I hate winter too

[@bigfishlad4847]

Thank you very much and your never too old to do anything, go and do it I think there are certain fish that you can breed for profit shame about the losses its sad when it happens isnt it

[@wheelsandwisdomuk2943]

@ thank you yes it is sad when you loose fish

[@KaeXi]

I understand you, I'm similar to yourself in that I tend to chop and change what I want to stock in the hobby. Limited space stops me from keeping multiple tanks so when I see a fish that I love it ends up in my tank. Sometimes that means rehoming something i already had in there. As for plants.. your plant room is great! I love plants too but we have cats and cant keep many.. I have a thing for Calatheas and have two big ones (Rattlesnake and Peacock) and Marantas and a Philodendron. Love your channel and glad you're staying in the hobby.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Aw thanks that means a lot that and thank you for your support, i have a Maranta and the rattlesnake calatheas are lovely also cant beat Philodendrons

[@xXTheSoulJaXx]

Love ya videos mate, im from Australia and I tend to swap my fish around every 18months, I get bored and need a change to keep me interested in the hobby! Currently have 2 tanks 1 with a breeding pair of jags and the other a community tank.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Change is good for the soul haha, loge Jags 💯 Thank you very much

[@thelair9392]

I too have been keeping fish for over thirty years and my hobby waxes and wanes, but it never completely goes. I’ve always had houseplants of some sort. I went through the carnivorous plant phase and now it’s mostly succulents

[@bigfishlad4847]

Same it will never really leaves us I dont think thank you 💯

[@aquariummonstershertsuk]

were on an opposite cycle - i get much more invested in the hobby during the winter simply because i spend more time indoors sat in the warm with them!

[@bigfishlad4847]

Yes that makes sense mate I think its more of a motivation thing with me and we are so busy in the winter so also distraction but reading this comment made me feel chilled out imagining it lol

[@bradstar8289]

Only reason I change my fish is getting more experienced so can keep more interesting fish but not changing my albino Heckelii anytime soon 😅

[@bigfishlad4847]

That make sense mate I have done that before owned fish to learn more about them its really interesting

[@Cal-s4d]

Each to there own mate I have to Many tanks and fish hahahahha and just purchased another large tank my problem is finding space for the older tanks to live when I buy new ones but fair play mate good work and the facts are we will always be wrong in someone’s eyes but right in others just enjoy and have fun

[@bigfishlad4847]

Yes so true mate cant please em all just do you love it thank you

[@Cal-s4d]

@ always mate keep it up though good content and fish keeping for real people

[@bigfishlad4847]

@Cal-s4d 👊💯

[@Gilsfishroom]

Thai constellations go for north of $100 here if you can find them. Like you I can be rather impetus in life, but as a fishkeeper I struggle to move fish on. Not because of any emotional attachment, but because for me it feels like some sort of failure?

[@bigfishlad4847]

Isnt mad how different we all think when making decisions, Thai Cons here are expensive but not to hard to find which is good

[@rutheames979]

House plants - yes! Type of fish keeper - ponderous :D

[@bigfishlad4847]

Love the short sharp answer haha brilliant

[@AH-Aquatics]

I first started the hobby in 2008. I had one 300 litre tank and didn't have a clue what I was doing but I got away with it and had such a mash up of fish. I then moved house in 2011 and sold everything. My interest never faded and in 2023 I entered it again and now have 4 tanks. I would say I understand things a lot better now. I tend to set my tanks up and just run with them. I would probably change fish more often but don't want to give fish away and a lot of fish shops near me won't give credit so thats the main reason. I'm tight 😂 having said that 4 tanks isnt enough I want more but the Mrs won't let me.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Hahaha 'Im tight' wish I was I have given far too many fish away for free over the years haha, 4 tanks already thats becoming MTS lol thanks for watching

[@2702simmo]

At the end of the day it’s a hobby and if it becomes a chore you need to change that It’s the thought of new set ups/ projects that get you excited

[@bigfishlad4847]

So true Si and yes it aint life is it mate

[@aegirgunnarsson8126]

I put my dead fish flower pots and the big one in out side in flower bed or with tree to make them as plant food i love your canel have be watch your videos for long time , i see thet is cold over ther to lol , i have 1 720 L tank with 3 Oscar and big plecos one very big green terror he is almost like big Oscars , and to glod sevrum , i think i have round 12 tanks i think lol, thanks for your videos with greetnings from Iceland

[@bigfishlad4847]

Thats great using the fish as compost haha, I will be doing a lot more otdoor plants next year so may do the same roo. Its freezing here at the minute haha but nothing compared to where you are lol thank you so much appreciate it loads

[@ejbrinegar]

Dear Paul: As long as it isn’t large enough, to clog a toilet; why is flushing a dead fish bad? In my area, in Kentucky, “recycling” is not on offer, from the cartage company. Republic Services only provides one type of bin, for all waste. As a hobbyist, for four decades, I’ve gone from a “fish-keeper” to an “aquascaper.” I was very interested in breeding livebearers, at first. Then, I began to breed egg-layers. Finally, I’m interested in keeping aquatic plants. I want my flora and fauna to be safe, healthy, and happy. So, I’m moving away, from heated aquaria. Heaters are not only expensive, to purchase and run; they also eventually fail and the resultant fluctuations in temperature are very harmful, to flora and fauna. I have eight tanks set up, right now; and, only two of them are heated. Neocaridina davidi shrimp and sub-tropical fish are my, preferred inhabitants. Removing male Endler’s livebearers, from the breeding colony, as soon as they are distinguishable is quite a chore. But, having had problems, with inbred, fancy guppies, I’m adamant that my Endler’s don’t develop bent spines or “fish polio.” I’m leaning towards keeping killifish, as they don’t require a heater and inbreeding doesn’t appear to be much of an issue, at least at this point. It may be necessary, for me to acquire new stock, eventually. Thank you, for posting, this thought-provoking vlog. All my best, Sincerely, E. J. Brinegar

[@bigfishlad4847]

Its seen as a big thing here in the UK to flush fish and I think its not allowed, There is a lot of options out there for a more temperant fish isnt there E.J and I love Killifish too, thanks E.J I appreciate you and love what you do

[@aquaticfanaticsuk]

Good video, mate. I think I'm a pretty similar type of person to you. I can come across as a hundred mile an hour but I can do like a months worth of researching something in a day. Fishkeeping wise, I was into goldfish exclusively for years, like decades. I had a few other bits and pieces but always goldfish. And then my mate talked me out of goldfish and into marine. Within 12 months, I'd gone from soft, through lps and into sps corals. Until I got fed up with it and was bang into youtube fishkeepers like cory, dustin, joey, kg trooicals, etc and then all the mts kicked in and since then I've wanted a breeding pair or 6 young of every single fish that exists. But now, I'm kind of at the point were I want to scale back and focus on the keeping and breeding of one type of fish and focus on setting tanks up around them.

[@pelhamsaquatics]

@@aquaticfanaticsuk i believe we 3 are quite alike mate 😂

[@bigfishlad4847]

We are the same mate and it can hurt the brain sometimes cant it haha when starting one project and then another project jumps into our heads, thanks pal

[@aquaticfanaticsuk]

@bigfishlad4847 I totally agree. Sometimes, I find fishkeeping exhausting through the overthinking. The good thing about your plants is it will keep youf fishkeeping hobby in check. When I got into Bonsai a few years ago, all my focus went on that, and my fishkeeping went on autopilot. I had a frontosa tank, a pair of discus, and a walstad. The fish got fed, and the water got changed, and there was no constant adding or removing projects

[@bigfishlad4847]

@aquaticfanaticsuk So true about the plants a very good distraction mate haha

[@FreshwaterIchthyology]

I preserve fishes that are in good condition, usually as wet specimens but otherwise I place in a plant pot and such. I have kept fish for nearly 18 years and have kept a load of other fishes but really settled on catfishes for the last maybe 8 years. I can't escape fishes, they are my career, research and hobby. I've had houseplants for maybe 14 years or more, I can't remember but since had a pretty good sized collection. Just until around 2019 there wasn't much selection of plants and I was ecstatic to have Alocasia sp. stingray back in 2017/18.

[@bigfishlad4847]

You are are heavily involved in this hobby with what your achieveing hobby Rebecca and your channel is growing to isnt it 👏🏼 you have a lot to offer the hobby as well, glad you love the houseplanta and I bet you have some nice plant as well

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Seen the title scared me but i know your in for the long haul mate!😮i put mine in a plastic bag , and into the dumpster. I hate winter too!😝 clint eastwood said it best.. a man has to know his limitations. Paul we are alike , spur of the moment. I have whats called SSS shiny shite syndrom 😂😂😂

[@bigfishlad4847]

@@pelhamsaquatics 😂😂😂 Yes Jeff that is me to a tee lol we call it shiny ball but I love your analogy much more lol

[@pelhamsaquatics]

@ 🤣🤣🤣👍🏻 your my brother ftom a different mother, certain of it… poor you😭🤣😂

[@bigfishlad4847]

@pelhamsaquatics 😂😂😂

[@NigelChislett]

Hi Big Paul , I'm Nigel I have been keeping fish for about 40 years , I have kept quiet alot of different species, from cichlids to tetras to catfish . For me now I am keeping african tetras with west african cichlids., As for your plants, I think they are a good addition, I do have only one in door plant. For me now I like to take my time and choose the I want to buy. Just a shout out to you I have just got rid of some Red head Geophaus . All the very best Paul !!

[@bigfishlad4847]

Hi Nigel, a long time is 40 years geos are really becoming my thing at the moment, what you keeping now then

[@NigelChislett]

Hi Paul, For me now I'm keeping west african cichlids, Nanochromis with african longfin tetras , also I had a miss hap , One of my 4ft tanks sprung a leak, That's why I had to move the geos on. I did get them to breed, but no fry .

[@TomFisher-zp2yv]

I have suffered from multiple tank syndrome as I see a fish I like (need to bring home) have to either upgrade size of tank or get another one. Currently have a mixture of tanks from heavily planted with small fish to hardscape only with big cichlids. My wife is the same but with reptiles (lizards)! I like the house plants and enjoy your channel. All the best!

[@bigfishlad4847]

Bet thats really cool both of you with hobbies with live animals bet your house is epic haha, I appreciate you Tom thanks for your support

[@chefsteve8381]

How do you recycle a dead fish ? ...i bury mine in the garden at least the plants get something out of it..

[@bigfishlad4847]

Not recycle its the bin that you put food and grass in stuff like, dont know why i said recycle lol

[@Rob-Brook]

When life gives me lemons, I down scale always. It's the right thing to do. The good thing about this hobby is you can stop and start when you please!

[@bigfishlad4847]

Yes Rob thats it isnt it I have been doing it for years haha, I should hibernate in winter lol

[@waterbird-s5q]

if you have a fish shop that will take the fish off you, I don't see a problem. I enjoy setting up a tank an watching the fish and plants grow. Each to their own, just enjoy and relax in front of your preferred aquarium. Really enjoy your videos BTW.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Thank you so much really appreciate the support 💯 Yes I love sitting by a tank but after 5 mins I get distracted and start messing about with something lol

[@kathrynharris5386]

Get a grip Paul...that ain't snow!😆 I can say that now having lived here for a few years from the UK. Seriously it's fine to acknowledge when you need to scale back a bit-the important thing is recognising this. I know you're a lifelong fishkeeper like me. That I've no doubt I've just the 3 tanks-180, 40 and 20G. I love my fish but have had my moments where I've wanted to quit but this is always when I struggle with the odd fish death or disease (the Columnaris outbreak last year really hit me hard). Too many KZbinrs seem to burn out-Micks Fish seems to have fallen off the face of the earth but I think many of us predicted this. I used to enjoy King of DIY but now he acts like a film star-out of touch with the average hobbyist and arrogant. Just keeps buying crazy priced fish which the average hobbyist can't afford. At some point I think he's going to come crashing down. They place too much pressure on putting out content and sometimes it's just plain shit. Some of the best channels I follow barely have any subscribers But this isn't you Paul-everything you show I can relate too. It's real world hobbyist material. So don't change a thing but if cutting back in terms of tank numbers is necessary to keep you fresh then do it. And the comments-unfortunately as with any social media some people will talk shit. It's easy for them to do but don't let this blight the stuff you produce

[@bigfishlad4847]

So firstly Rob we have the worst snow in the world dont we 😂😉 haha I cant fool you lol, I couldnt have put it any better than you did mate appreciate it pal unfortunatley for the likes of Joey its a wage isnt it so got to keep putting content out I get about £100 a montg then it gets taxed 😂 Its all good fun though haha, and yes Columnaris is an awful disease really felt your pain with that one

[@gazgonenative4696]

I get ya . When I was all in on this hobby there was never enough. I have a addictive personality so when I doing fish socail media it was like a drug . And the hobby itself was a fix. It’s all good on the way up but when the brain clicks and you recognise the addiction . You reduce massively . I had loads tanks in my flat more in fish house . I lived for hobby many years .. that’s exact honest reason I went down to one tank and no coverage on socials .. took up all my time everyday dealing with tanks stock and socail media messages I did suffer and didn’t even know it .. but in all hobbies there is addicts . Bro just find your happy medium I have a tank full off barbs job done … don’t stop me thinking about more fish and tanks thow lol… and what I do with my dead’s is feed them to my garden dig um in lol

[@bigfishlad4847]

Yes mate its so true with the head spinning with it all going on at the same time, kind of felt your peace in this comment mate with what changes you made haha

[@ProdigalAquarist]

Your video couldn't have come at a better time for me. The questions you're asking are very similar to the things that interest me about fishkeeping. And you've given me that little bit more confidence to progress something I've been planning for many months. Thank you.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Aw thats great to hear be nice to hear what you do too, thanks for watching and commenting

[@reecelawrencebye6100]

I’m just a 15 year old that has 12 tanks that loves his discus … shame u lost that angel fish.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Thank you very much 12 tanks wow 👏🏼

[@reecelawrencebye6100]

@ Yh there’s afew lol

[@EyesOfTheVulture]

My experience is that females angelfish can't stand each another

[@bigfishlad4847]

Yes that can happen seen that before but only one female in the tank so cant be that