Fish / Aquarium

[HookemTexas]

Any fish/aquarium hobbyists here?  I’m thinking about starting an aquarium but am a total newbie.  Currently just doing research.

Heard it can be a major time/money sink.

[Gerry Hamilton]

Had them for years … if you are up for the upkeep, love them 

time, yes

[HonkEm]

4 hours ago, HookemTexas said:

Any fish/aquarium hobbyists here?  I’m thinking about starting an aquarium but am a total newbie.  Currently just doing research.

Heard it can be a major time/money sink.

People act like starting an aquarium is the financial equivalent of buying a boat. It’s not. A basic freshwater setup costs less than a weekend bar tab, and once it’s cycled, it basically runs itself. The only folks who ‘lose money’ are the ones who impulse‑buy a tiny tank, cram 14 fish in it, and then spend the next month wondering why they’re running a pet cemetery. I had a 40‑gallon built into the wall at my last place - start with something in that 20–40 gallon range, mix fish that actually belong together, do a quick 20‑minute weekly water change, and the whole thing basically runs on autopilot.

[4thandFive]

I want an axolotl 

[horns96]

I had cichlids for years in my younger years.  That was decades ago, but Jack Dempseys are a hardier cichlid than most.  I often think about setting up an aquarium now, watching fish is really cool.

[Blake Munroe]

My oldest son, Colt, currently has three aquariums (much to my and my wife’s dismay). I really didn’t think he would have the self-discipline needed to keep up with two, much less three, but he’s surprised me. He absolutely loves it. He buys fish and plants often for them. They aren’t huge (10-20 gallons I think) but each one is different groups of those fish and plants living together  

I will have to get him on this thread.

[GQ03]

6 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

My oldest son, Colt, currently has three aquariums (much to my and my wife’s dismay). I really didn’t think he would have the self-discipline needed to keep up with two, much less three, but he’s surprised me. He absolutely loves it. He buys fish and plants often for them. They aren’t huge (10-20 gallons I think) but each one is different groups of those fish and plants living together  

I will have to get him on this thread.

What kind of fish does he keep? 

I had a 90 gallon freshwater African cichlid tank that I loved before I gave it up when moving out of state. Loved coming home after work and just watching the tank for an hour or so as a way to decompress. Have 3 kids now and might give it another go when they're a bit older but mortgage, daycare and extra curriculars is eating up all the disposable income right now. 

[HookemTexas]

7 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

My oldest son, Colt, currently has three aquariums (much to my and my wife’s dismay). I really didn’t think he would have the self-discipline needed to keep up with two, much less three, but he’s surprised me. He absolutely loves it. He buys fish and plants often for them. They aren’t huge (10-20 gallons I think) but each one is different groups of those fish and plants living together  

I will have to get him on this thread.

That would be fantastic, I’m looking at a 20 gallon with just one type of fish as well.

[Titleist8412]

Are you in Austin? If so, call Capital Aquariums. John Howerton owns it and is a Longhorn. Great dude. 

[HookemTexas]

20 minutes ago, Titleist8412 said:

Are you in Austin? If so, call Capital Aquariums. John Howerton owns it and is a Longhorn. Great dude. 

Am in Houston, when I head to Austin, will be sure to check them out.  I've been research Medaka Japanese rice fish as my first venture.

[Rocky P]

23 hours ago, HookemTexas said:

Any fish/aquarium hobbyists here?  I’m thinking about starting an aquarium but am a total newbie.  Currently just doing research.

Heard it can be a major time/money sink.

Salt water is a bigger time and money suck than fresh water.

[HonkEm]

2 hours ago, HookemTexas said:

Am in Houston, when I head to Austin, will be sure to check them out.  I've been research Medaka Japanese rice fish as my first venture.

If you’re looking at Medaka for your first tank, you’re already ahead of the curve - Awesome choice. They’re super hardy, peaceful, and way more forgiving than guppies or tetras. No heater needed indoors, and they stay active instead of hiding all day.

They also come in a ton of colors, and breeding them is stupid‑easy since they’re egg layers. A simple 10–20 gallon tank(still would prefer bigger) with a sponge filter and some floating plants is all they need.

For tank mates, keep it chill: shrimp, snails, small rasboras, white clouds, or other Medaka strains. Just skip anything big, nippy, or hyper - they’re peaceful fish, so keep the neighborhood peaceful too. 

My first venture was>>>Endler’s Livebearers - Super colorful, super chill, and they don’t bully anyone, Cherry Barbs - Red, bright, active, and not jerks like other barbs and  Nerite Snails - Not fish, but perfect cleanup crew and zero drama. WARNING, Endlers will give you babies whether you ask for them or not 😀

Edited 42 minutes ago by HonkEm