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Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

My Arowana Live Foods (Warning: Too Gross)

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21 Feb 2009 23:07 - 21 Feb 2009 23:09 #1 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...
Last edit: 21 Feb 2009 23:09 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez).

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21 Feb 2009 23:10 #2 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
Fed one to my adult silver


Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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21 Feb 2009 23:12 - 21 Feb 2009 23:13 #3 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
I also feed non-live foods for variety.....sorry for the faint of heart.

fresh Chicken heart, fresh anchovies, fresh frog parts, fresh beefheart, fresh shrimps....


Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...
Last edit: 21 Feb 2009 23:13 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez).

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21 Feb 2009 23:24 #4 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
Crickets!

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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21 Feb 2009 23:24 #5 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
Gecko lizards...

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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21 Feb 2009 23:26 #6 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
Here's the proper way to hold frogs!



Then feed the monster fish...


Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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21 Feb 2009 23:27 #7 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
frozen frogs are also nice treats!


Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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21 Feb 2009 23:28 #8 by peter (peter campbell)
I think arowanas are cool but i dont get why youd want so many,well onless if your breeding them.
Id much rather 7 completly different aquariums with a variety of fish and with no empty barebottom tanks.
ps. I know barebottom tanks are easier to clean and matain but is the whole idea of fishkeeping not to have a beautiful and interesting aquarium,but again onless if your breeding them.

I know loads of people will diagree with me but i dont see why someone wants 7 arowana tanks that arnt even nice to look at

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21 Feb 2009 23:32 #9 by peter (peter campbell)
ps
why would you waste your money on a gecko to feed to a fish when its cruel and unessisary to feed any live animals

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21 Feb 2009 23:51 #10 by mickeywallace (Michael Wallace Cath Woods)
unfortunately some wild caught fish will only except live food. and we are obligated to feed fish correctly which means we have to put a side our personal opinions to do this. but this should be done in a manner avoiding unnecessary stress. (quick kill)

Mickey Wallace & Cath Woods

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21 Feb 2009 23:58 #11 by peter (peter campbell)
thats far enough but using a gecko.thats just unfair and unessesary.

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22 Feb 2009 01:46 #12 by JohnH (John)
Far sadder in my eyes is someone keeping large fish in tanks clearly too small for their requirements!!!

OK, keep them in inadequate tanks, feed them on live reptilian foods (which some people find offensive) but don't lower the tone of our Forum with your ego, find yourself an Arowana forum, readers of which would be delighted to see your fish eating all this stuff (they mightn't agree with the inadequate tanks though!) I, for one, would like to see this thread - at least the unsavoury pictures - taken off the Forum.

Anyone else agree?

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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22 Feb 2009 02:03 #13 by Mick0075 (Michael OSullivan)
I am afraid I agree John, the pictures just striks of "look at me". If the fish eat all that raw meat could there be any reason to feed live food other than for the pleasure of the fish keeper. What extra nutrition is there in the food being alive ???

On the point of seven tanks of the same fish, Each to their own, individuality makes the world an interesting place. If everyone agreed we would be talking about the one fish !!!

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22 Feb 2009 03:38 - 22 Feb 2009 03:39 #14 by Xeon (ioan micu)
Not taking sides, but is this not live food? And that is only a very very small part of what we kill everyday...
Attachments:
Last edit: 22 Feb 2009 03:39 by Xeon (ioan micu).

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22 Feb 2009 08:02 #15 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
Cheers and it's fine to have our opinions about this. Arowanas have their own appeal makes am able hobbyist to collect some species and showcase the fish rather the tank - though best efforts are undertaken to keep filtration and ease of cleaning as important, the best health of the fish is considered through the most variety of feeding (mind you I've shifted to an all pellet diet already). This takes away the ideal setting up of landscaped tanks as arowanas are fast swimmers and chasing after live food will easily disturb a nice aquascape.

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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22 Feb 2009 08:23 #16 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
In addition, arowanas are usually kept in minimalist tanks (no accessories even driftwood as they have sharp edges) and bare bottom tanks to prevent injuries such as bruises, barbels being cut, upturned scales as the value of the fish (super reds can easily value at 2.5-4k quids for a 15cm specimen) is undermined with the slightest flaw and growing new scales will take weeks with the same color.

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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22 Feb 2009 08:28 #17 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
I apologize if the pictures offended many, if the moderators find it improper for this forum based on forum rules then the pictures can be taken out no worries thanks everyone for viewing

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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22 Feb 2009 08:41 #18 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
Hi Mick live food promotes the best growth for arowanas - if kept well and disease free live foods including insects and now commercially available earthworms and super worms promote good growth calcium rich and enhances natural coloration

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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22 Feb 2009 10:04 #19 by JohnH (John)
Xeon wrote:

Not taking sides, but is this not live food? And that is only a very very small part of what we kill everyday...


Xeon,
I agree in total with you - personally I have no issue with what is fed to anyone (or their fish), I just objected to this being shown on our Forum, that's all.

I eat meat and fish, go shooting too...and, bloody hell, I'm a Pike Angler, I've used some very unsavoury items as bait down the years (but not here since the livebaiting ban was introduced). I have kept small Pike in large tanks and fed them all manner of stuff I wouldn't now be proud to boast about...not to mention what I used at some point to feed both large Cichlids and Catfish on...but I would never put pictures of any of these deeds onto the Forum, I wouldn't want to offend the sensitivities of some members, even one would be too many in my opinion.

To be fair, there was a warning headlining this thread that it was 'Too Gross', but perhaps it is a little 'Too Gross'...?

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

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22 Feb 2009 12:07 #20 by Daragh_Owens (Daragh Owens)
I don't particularly like Arowana, I am not a fan of live feeding either or keeping big fish in small tanks, but I personally don't think the thread should be removed. However if others do I suggest them "report to moderator" or admin and I guess if enough people do it will be removed. In the meantime I suggest if the contents upset you that you stay clear of the thread.


Daragh

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22 Feb 2009 13:19 #21 by lampeye (lampeye)
I thought it might be interesting to add that it is illegal for Zoos to feed their animals live food. I assume this is an animal welfare issue, and the law is in place for that reason, unnecessary cruelty. glad you're on a pellet diet now ian!

lampeye

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22 Feb 2009 15:42 #22 by goldy (goldy .)
Where do you get your supply of frogs. It looks like you are feeding quite a few of them. I personally dont keep arowanas but I do keep frogs so its a little sad to see them becoming dinner but it is a part of life. I have to say that the frogs look nice and healthy though but I do think that they would be happier in my tank....

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22 Feb 2009 20:54 - 22 Feb 2009 20:56 #23 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
hi daragh I think the discussion is healthy enough but the objections are with the pictures but by removing the pictures thethread is not in the right forum so either you move the thread in freshwater without the pics or remove the thread altogether it's no issue with the me the thread starter I think for me the awareness and experience were simply shared without malice and the need to boast anyway this " lifestyle" is long gone and now I keep discuses and goldfish but I do have a 10 year silver arowna though not here in Ireland. I also feed my silver 100% pellets now and My arowana doesn't look as bulky but it's life is quite long so far. Thank you

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...
Last edit: 22 Feb 2009 20:56 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez).

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22 Feb 2009 21:03 #24 by Fishowner (Gavin fishowner)
The pics arent that gross, I think its th thought of what happens the frogs etc that grosses people out. Its certainly not bad enough I feel to remove. As for Arowana's, I think its good people keep them, yes ideally in bigger tanks but I think its vital that people keep all types of fish, so that should someone come on here and ask how to keep them etc, that we have someone on our forum here to assist them. I personally wouldnt keep one but I prefer smaller fish,but again everyone has their own taste and I for one arent going to knock that :)
Funnily enough I now feed microworms, they squirm around in the tank also, while they arent frogs,they are still live as such. I think the pictures arent too bad, however if I see goldfish or guppys going into a tank on a VIDEO clip then Id object.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions certainly, and ironically I would of previously felt the pics were wrong, however Im learning as a fishkeeper and certainly appreciate the fish's needs etc..
Gavin

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22 Feb 2009 21:49 #25 by Ian (Anthony Ramirez)
Thanks Gavin for your insights. I admit feeding the most unusual things and that includes feeder fish ( like comets and guppies) as they were preferred feeds then and since then I shhfted slowly to non live like beef heart and even liver when I felt that the benefits feeding live diminished in time. I finally trained by black arowana to eat pellets from a 2in fry andy grew it to 23in before it died one day when I was inthe office and it jumped out my tank. Arowana hobbyist is of a different class by it's own - we know the potential of our fish's size but small 5in fish will be scared if a 500gallon tank and would prefer a smaller grow out tank that's why I upgraded at least 2 times for one arowana and the skill extends to transferring them which I can say is one if the most challenging thing to do but sure taught me better to handle big fishes.

Fishkeeping CV: Co-founded, 1st President of the only surviving Fishkeeping Club (Accredited by Dept. of Fisheries) in the Philippines (mypalhs.com). I have mostly reared tropicals - Arowanas and monster fishes. My oldest arowana is 13years old (died in a tropical storm). Ive since reared a Black,...

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