What’s it all about?
by Cheryl Miller
Everywhere you turn these days there is some sort of hubbub concerning the future of the hobby of fish keeping. Whether you read it in magazines, watch nature channels on television, surf the internet, visit your favorite fish store or attend a local fish club meeting, the subject is bound to come up sooner or later. This has been on my mind for some time now, so I've been talking to others about it Forgive me if this seems yet another "the world according to the author" type of narrative, but I would like to air a few thoughts that 1 and others have talked about.
As many of you know, I am recently back into the fishkeeping hobby. Although I stillconsider myselfa beginner, I have almost always had an aquarium. When I &st moved back to this part of the state a few years ago, I didn't know a lot about area fish shops. In fact, in looking at the phone book, I could only find a few within an afternoon-with-the-kids drive. At that time I thought my main goal was saving dollars and cents (that idea changed soon enough).
A year ago, when I began working on my tank set-up, I took several major steps which I believe are typical to most aquarists. I started reading a lot. I decided what kind of fish I wanted to specialize in and I knew I wanted quality stock. I worked on getting the best set-up I could afford, on a real shoe-string budget (but luckily, I am handy on do-it-yourself projects). I visited every pet store I could fmd within a 50 mile radius to decide whom I wanted to deal with. I even went to a breeder's home in the middle of Pennsylvania. Lastly, I found my local fish club.
Being a club member has basically been a good experience for me. But, after having lived in several other areas of the state, and having been involved in many different cltlbs and organizations, I have found that there are several "constants" or "givens" in such an organization.
- Clubs involve different kinds of people, often with different personalities and from different walks of life.
- There will always be a "core group" of active workers, while others need to be specifically asked to help, and yet others who will do nothing.
- Many old-timers seem to resent new ideas and enthusiasm that comes from new members, all the while whining that no one will help.
In examining all my other experiences through school, college, teacher's union, advisory committees, coops, parent's groups, church groups, civic groups, union and non-union, community bands/orchestras, and other hobby clubs, I feel I am qualified to state that our own club is no exception to these.
As our own club nears it's 25th anniversary, I hope we will all take time to reflect on how much our fish hobby and club means to us and what we would like to see in the future of fishkeeping. So here are my thoughts:
Leaders need to work together, even when they're upset with someone.
Polish up your communication skills. Politely, but hly and specific all^ tell them about it Ifthat doesn't work, take it to the President and hefshe will decide if it should be presented to the Board.
Don’t turn down help.
Don't shoo someone away from your favorite job-train them. Who will be able to step in if you are ever temporarily incapacitated? It's human nature that often those who bellyache the most about lack of help are themselves guilty of being unorganized or having procrastinated.
Don't sit around and complain because no one came to a certain meeting that you announced something and didn't get any volunteers.
Get on the phone and call people! Perhaps you should think of yourselves more as teachers. How else will the newer aquarist learn about the hobby and become more involved in the club?
Members of a club have responsibilities too.
Come to the meetings. Respect other's opinions and personal rights. Support the raffles and other fund raisers. Volunteer to do at least one job each year. Advertise your club to others. And last but not least, recruit new members. When was the last time you helped someone new get into the hobby?
Think of all the things you wish someone would have told you when you first started out. I believe we have a responsibility as a club to help "newbies" become successful in fishkeeping.
There’s an ongoing debate about relations with the stores. Regarding this, I have talked with a few owners of pet shops recently and I have heard some real horror stories about the way some people act (even club members).
It's a tough way to make a living. That's right!
Besides being something the owners enjoy doing, this is their bread and butter, folks! Let's respect that! So, especially as a fish club member, be tactful and well mannered in local shops.
Don't walk into a store expecting a discount. Rather, cultivate a relationship and maybe they will support your club. It's OK to talk fish with others in the store, but don't criticize that store or other stores.
If they are interested, tell them about the species you have kept or give them a club business card and invite them to visit the club. But, don't ever interfere with the helpers/owners doing their business. Also, don'talways expect to trade your surplus fish for goods -and never at wholesale costs to you! Don't expect the little guys to compete with the prices in the superstores. Don’t throw it in their faces.
Never ask a store owner to service an item for free you bought elsewhere, even if they carry the same brand.
How about mail order?
Personally, I think it goes against our local economy. Unless you are housebound, there is little reason to go this route. On the other hand, the catalogs are great to browse through to see "what's new". Then, copy the specs and take them to your favorite store and see if they can order it through their wholesaler. Don't ask or expect them to match the price, but you might be surprised how close they might come, especially when you consider shipping, etc.
Spread your money around. Support those who support your club. Be a considerate customer and you might be surprised at what transpires.
Now to be fair, I have also heard horror stories about shops and their owners as well.
Advice to Shop Owners
Do your best to have a neat and clean shop, in a decent location with ample parking. No one likes dirt and odors.
If you choose a location off the beaten path, don't expect people to flock to your door unless you have a superb shop.
Most aquarists will try you out a couple of times, so be savvy and listen to them. Be willing to order and stock items that fit the needs of people looking for unusual items or having special interests (like advanced hobbyists).
If you say you will order something, be up-front with your deposit policy and delivery schedule. No one likes to make a trip for nothing. Pick your stock and dry goods carefully so that you can offer some kind of guarantee. With dry goods, you need to be able to stand behind the items you sell.
Understand that many people will treat your shop like a public aquarium. Don't get testy because you have too many browsers.
If the atmosphere is right, most people will come back when they are ready to buy, or they will buy on impulse if they're really impressed.
Please don't feel threatened by society auctions and other events. These are our fund raisers that support our club activities and shows. All these promote fishkeeping which can help you, if you give it a chance.
By the way there's nothing to stop you from coming to an auction and buying special fish to re-sell in your shop. Everyone knows locally grown fish are hardier.
Lastly, most pet stores gain a reputation by word of mouth among hobbyists. One prime way for these words to pass on is among fish club members, their friends and their families.
Perhaps we need to remember why we all have aquariums to begin with.
The simple joy of keeping fish is something I don't have to sell you on. Just watching those little guys swim around and do their fishy thing is reward enough in itself. Now the research people are saying it's even a stress reducer.
They didn't say anything about the stress incurred while doing a water change, sucking a Cory into the hose, and having to use the "jaws-of-life" to get him out! Or finding babies just as you are about to leave for work and finding voracious tankmates looking for breakfast!
Learning about fish, their needs and care as well as their natural habitats is fun and interesting. Studying Biology/Ichthyology has taken a new meaning in this household. We talk about geography, and yes, chemistry, as well. Suddenly, it's cool to do research. In my family, this hobby spans three generations. That's a rarity these days! And, this hobby even promotes good old reading and writing (spawning reports).
Reading arouses interest in world environmental and economical issues.(Hey, that's Ecology and Sociology! But, that's my family.
What does fish-keeping mean to you? So, what's it all about?
Can there be a healthy relationship between various levels of hobbyists within a club as well as between club members and stores?
Can we mind our P's and Q's, be productive members of a fish club, support our local businesses and be watchful of world issues that influence the hobby?
Can we do all this and still enjoy fishkeeping?
I hope so! I believe so!
Originally published in the 1997 FAAS Federation Report and edited/updated in January 2007.