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Expert or Beginner - What type of Aquarist are you?
Expert or Beginner - What type of Aquarist are you?
As I write this, I am looking at three aquariums setup in my office. I have a shrimp tank, a tank with a single Jack Dempsey and his albino pleco buddy, and one which has nothing but plants and moss balls inside, ready for my next indulgence.
Over the years, I have started up dozens of personal aquariums (as well as managed a fish house!) and have generally learned that no two tanks are the same; all are rewarding in their own way despite the inevitable problems you encounter.
I'd describe myself now as a fully-fledged "aquarist", although this wasn't always the case. I have gone through many stages of the hobby, through freshwater to marine, and have had many experiences along the way. Through observation of the many hobbyists I have introduced to fish keeping and helped problem solve over the years, I firmly believe that you go through the following stages as your skill level progresses:
Beginner
The beginner stage, where you do not know much about fishkeeping but are eager to learn. From a supplier's point of view it is here where the most careful management must apply, and for the buyer the realisation that being a serious fishkeeper means you need to be responsible enough to invest appropriately and conduct proper research to ensure the wellbeing of your fish.
If you think that being a beginner means throwing a few goldfish into a bowl and topping up water occasionally you are sadly mistaken and miles off. Qualifying as a beginner, to me, means at least reading a fishkeeping guide first, or getting advice from your store or reputable internet sources (YouTube videos are great!) before you setup your fish tank.
"So-called" Expert
This is generally the most expensive part of your journey - the "expert" stage. This is the point where you think that you know everything. You may have read one book, or perhaps successfully treated a disease, and generally know what you're doing in terms of scheduled aquarium maintenance.
However, the 'hubris' stage is often where people fail or end up leaving the hobby. Seemingly unstoppable algae might take over the aquarium, a disease may take hold and decimate your tank, or your water conditions may change without obvious explanation. This is a stage that every hobbyist must go through. It is here where you realise that fishkeeping is a real responsibility, and that having a peaceful perfect setup all the time is an unrealistic goal.
The Aquarist.
The 'aquarist' stage comes with experience, from sticking with the hobby despite the ups and downs. An aquarist knows that fishkeeping is an addiction that requires patience and knowledge, and even if they have set down their aquariums or gone a long period without a fish tank - the aquarist always returns to the hobby when the fishkeeping bug takes hold again.
The aquarist knows that an aquarium has a delicate biological balance, which isn't always something we have control over, even when we're doing everything right. You will generally know what you are doing by now, and be able to spot, or even smell, changes in water quality or potential diseases as they arise. You'll have a good idea of how and what to feed, and when, and you'll attack water changes with genuine enthusiasm.
At this stage of the hobby, you are generally confident that you can attempt any species, and the results are most rewarding. It is here that many start their journey into marine (saltwater) fishkeeping - attempting marine any sooner generally produces more expensive lessons.
Let us know if you agree and tell us about your learning experiences in the comments below!
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Photo credit(s): Canva Pro Licence
