The slippery slope to perdition

[Brentpitt]

My first exposure to African cichlids came in the mid to late 70s. The LFS in Texas CIty got a shipment of fish at the bus station where I worked; the box was broken open, some leaking was taking place, so I immediately called the LFS owner (Randy). I also looked to see if any were in immediate danger. Along with the usual assortment of fish, an eye-popping pair caught my attention. A brilliant blue fish, a bright orange fish were in the same bag. I was told they were African ciclids, zebras. Before Randy left the bus station with the fish, I told him I would buy them. Of course, knowing nothng about them, I managed to get the smaller one killed pretty quick. And disgustedly got rid of the other one.

Twenty+ years later I tried again with an "African Cichlid Assortment" from some internet dealer. Took me a while to figure out what I had - more or less - some I never quite figured out. But I figured out which ones I liked a lot and which ones were real bullies. Crabros, auratus and their cousins - bullies. Zebras - can be. Favorites - probably Labeotropheus trewavassae, red tops. Thirty years from my initial exposure and I am a full fledged addict - from one tank to now, 1 - 125; 3-75; 4 - 55 - currently up and running.
Any other stories of addiction?

[jughead]

i would tell my story,but you asked for addiction.i'm really more in the psychosis arena.

[geoff_tropheus]

For me it all started with my mom. I love my mom. :) She kept mollies and other livebearers,pictus cats, kissing gourami's, and the swiming pool full of goldfish.

Then when I was in the 5th/6th grade I got into my own aquariums and kept various central american cichlids in a couple 29 gallons, then when I was in 9th grade I got 2-55 gallons.

The after high school I quit keeping fish until I got out of the Navy in 1997. Then I got introduced to a realy hobbyist who was keeping rare African Cichlids.

I'll never forget the first time I went over there and seen fish I had never seen in any store.

For me the most exciting ones, was the fish that had the white stripes, blue heads, and the little babies with polka-dots on them. Tropheus Duboisi...I was hooked ever since..

Other than some peacocks early on that he had that I quickly got bored with, I have kept nothing but Tropheus since then.

I have gotten rid of TV's, furniture, and home stereo equipment to make room for more tanks. I live in 900 sqft 2bdr apartment, and I have more in gallons than I got in sq foot.

Some of my Tropheus have lived in more towns than most people, well traveled fishes..

It only gets worse in time..the Tropheus addiction...

[dblondfemme]

I have had fish since I was in college aside from a few goldfish here and there. In college I kept various fish. I had one Jack Dempsey that survived a trip here to Houston and I had around 5 years. I currently have a zebra danio that is over 8 years old believe it or not. I only know how old it is because I only have one and have never bought any others.
My latest round of addiction happened when I bought a fish tank from a man on the other side of town... and I had people offer to help out with a fish tank in my classroom. Thus began the BOOM. At one point I had 22 fish tanks. I currently have 6 including a salt water. I see myself setting up a few more tanks to house a select few fish... but I love each and every one of them. My oddballs are my favorites.

[jeebus]

My wife.... I had a crappy 20L gold fish tank as a kid back in the 80's. 2 gold fish and a pleco. It was Walmart setup and an epic disaster. I said I never wanted tanks again.

Flash forward 20 years and my wife brings home a "free" 20L with a milk crate full of ghetto equipment she wants to set up in our house. I breakdown and take her to Petco to get a 29g with stand and Rena XP1 instead so it will at least "look good".

A week later we found this website while researching types of fish to keep. It took less than a month to get Tropheus fever. A year after that we got Discus fever.

Now we're getting saltwater fever. Oh man...