Do you prefer buying fish when they're big or small ?

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Small because you can watch it grow and get attached to it

 

[Jon Fishman]

I like big fish and I can not lie.....


I did get one big fish and a VERY tiny one. They are certainly the “odd couple” but surprisingly swim right next to each other despite the big tank!

 

[NotFishyFishGuy]

Does anyone always pick one type old or young? I usually don’t reallty have a preference unless its a big difference

 

[ZoWhat]

Without a doubt.... with having an adult sized Hippo and Yellow.... nothing Juvenile will last long in my tank from instant bullying.

The fish I buy has to be larger enough to take 1-2 days of bullying and come back with an attitude.

By bullying I'm not talking an outright attack putting the new fish in a corner.. . But bullying by aggressively swiping at the new fish when they pass each other.

Juvys get totally freaked out, hide and starve.
Adult new fish might be intimidated by put-up with the aggressive until it passes.

So larger adult fish for sure as newbies

 

[S2G]

Does anyone always pick one type old or young? I usually don’t reallty have a preference unless its a big difference

Angel's & puffers I try to get young. Angels can be finicky and puffers can be some killers when older.

Eels I try to get a little older just due to not fitting in as many tight crevices plus they can be little spaz's when small.

 

[TVV]

Healthy and eating is more important than size to me.

To answer the question as asked, I prefer smaller to large.

 

[Squidward]

Healthy and eating is more important than size to me.

To answer the question as asked, I prefer smaller to large.

Yes indeed. I saw a nice sized CBB and asked to see it fed. He just swam around and never ate the mysis shrimp... LFS owner said he has a smaller one in stock too. He tried feeding it and it ate the mysis so I bought that one instead. And it being smaller, should have an easier time to adjust to aquarium life and dry foods I believe.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm a sucker for the little guys.

 

[RichReef]

Small. Growing up in the habitat it's going to spend maybe the rest of it's life in has to be a huge plus.

 

[mnk]

Definitely small ones, they’re like little babies that I get to raise and see them grow. Big ones are beautiful and all, but small ones are just so cute.

 

[Hermie]

for fish: age wise, younger, but always healthy
for hermits/snails: all sizes/ages

 

[mattzang]

as small as possible for me

 

[MrsBugmaster]

Small to medium for me

 

[tankstudy]

If I'm looking to keep max size adults, I purchase them as small as I can get to increase the percentage of getting a really young specimen.

I use to grow adult XL specimens for other local hobbyists. I got real good at growing koi and using somewhat similar techniques, I grew XL saltwater specimens.

Sometimes, medium to slightly larger specimens may continue to grow based on their actual age but a lot of times, you get specimens that aren't going to give you much further growth due to age.

For example, my 3 year old yellow tang, hasn't gained a single inch since I got him and I purchased him at 4 inches.

What size do I purchase? It depends on what my end goal is for the fish.

 

[Jvesche20]

Smaller is better for me. I like to see them grow and not fight when a new fish is introduced

 

[AZMSGT]

Small for me too.

 

[Proteus Meep]

Smaller..so as to enjoy their full lifespan