![]() A total ban would almost certainly create a black market. Why banning tank buster fish is not an option:īanning the sale of large fish from the aquarium hobby might seem like an effective solution, but it may have undesirable consequences and could even have the opposite effect. Here are some sources of information about how large a fish will get: Where can I find out how big a fish gets? You can also check for large fish rescues or re-homing services online. Your local aquarium society may have members that have the expertise and space to take in oversized fish. Always call first to make sure they are willing to accept your fish before bringing them in. Your local aquarium store may be able to help, but they are not obligated to accept or offer anything for them, even if you bought them there. Public aquariums and zoos usually cannot accommodate them either. What if I have a tank buster fish I can no longer take care of?įirst, if you find you can no longer keep a fish or other pet, NEVER release it into the environment! It is illegal in most places, and the results can be catastrophic to native species and the ecosystem. Will you be able to provide the proper conditions and diet for 20 years or more? Finally, there are a limited number of compatible tank mates for truly large fish and more fish means you'll need even more space and filtration. Keeping large fish is a lot more work than the average tropical fish, so ask yourself, will you be able to keep up with water changes, tank and filter maintenance, the cost of food, filter media and other supplies? Also, don't forget the electrical expense of operating an extra-large aquarium.īig fish eat a lot, and some Tank Buster species have specialized diets. You'll need a filtration system capable of processing the large amount of waste produced by fish this size. Decorations should be robust and securely placed to avoid the risk of them damaging the tank and equipment or injuring the fish if they're knocked over. Many large fish like to move things around in their habitat. To put things in perspective, imagine spending the rest of your life in an average-size home bathroom, never being allowed to leave. A 150 or 210 gallon seems enormous to us, but to a fish that might have spent its life in the Amazon River or an average size lake, it's cramped quarters. You'll need a minimum of 500 to 1,000 gallons to properly house most Tank Buster fish. Space is the first thing anyone who considers owning Tank Buster fish must plan for. Some aquarists have resorted to releasing unwanted fish into the wild, which is not only illegal, but extremely detrimental to native species and the environment. Purchasing Tank Buster fish helps perpetuate demand for them, creating a continued supply. This, in turn, could lead to increased regulation of the aquarium industry, with the potential to close it down altogether. Our inability to do so harms the fish we keep and gives the aquarium hobby a bad reputation. All aquarium fish deserve the best living conditions possible. We all want the best for our pets, and fish should be no different. Ethical concerns with purchasing tank buster fish: Another consideration is that most Tank Buster species live well over 20 years, making them a long-term commitment for anyone who purchases them. This myth is the cause of many unwanted, stunted fish in poor health, as well as a fair number of stressed out fish owners. Some aquarists fall into the trap of "it will only grow to the size of my aquarium." This is false – tank size does not govern how large a fish will get. ![]()
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