Beginner that could use advise!

Frankieboy

I am consudering getting a new pet/hobbie. I am kinda thinking of getting fish tropical ones cause lets face it the other ones are pretty boring. I have an area of 30" by 16" availible for the tank. What i was really wondering bout was is it difficult, expensive (like a couple of hundred straight out). I was also thinking bout getting a reptile instead. I know both of these things are probaly bout the same expense but i will probaly go ahead with one anyways after all its only money. I am living in Galway so if there is any where i could go and ask advise it would be handy as well. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Hagar

There's a pet shop in Galway, Shop St I think, nearly opposite Fat Freddy's Pizza joint. They do reptiles and fish. It's quite a small shop but the staff are very helpful.

Our man in Havana

I would say - before you go shopping have a look at info online & decide what is "right" for you - reptiles can be very expensive depending on species & viv requirements etc not kept tropical fish so can't offer any advice etc.

But on the subject of reptiles I keep quite a few I suggest you look on www.anapsid.org Also you have to figure out if you have any decent vets near to you - I live in Loais but we have to take our exotics to a specialist in Bray! Big commitement etc.

FranknFurter

ok,
First off, IMHO, no pet should be considered a "hobby".....if you want a hobby, collect antiques, train sets, or stamps.

Second, before you buy any pet, fish, reptile, whatever, you need to read read read, I always tell people, before you buy any pet, spend a week on google reading everything you can on how to look after your new pet as best you can.

Third, reptiles are not a beginners pet, they are complicated and expensive until you know what your doing, and if you are considering one, you should start with somthing simple like a corn snake, or anole, steer clear of things like boas or iquanas (which will be way to big for that space soon) until you know what your doing and have experience.

And remember, with reptiles, can you store frozen mice in your freezer? can you get them every month? Can you keep crickets in your house? do you share a house? Because, if you do, you will need to ask your housmated if it is ok with them to keep an exotic pet and explain about food needs etc.

Also, the initial setup costs for a reptile are high, you will need a vivarium, proper reptile heat source, proper substrate, and a decent place to position it.

In other words, way to do it is, one week - research, 3 days think and plan, build,position, then buy suitable pet.

Frankieboy

Cheers lads for the advise. I went to a pet shop and asked a few questions and kinda decided to stay well clear of reptiles. They are expensive and alot of attention and care with might be abit much for a beginner. So i am leaning towards fish. I got a few prices today so doin my research all evening into what type of fish and extras. By the way i know i said it was kind of a hobby but i picked the wrong words. I have a good bit of time on my hands so i would like something, like looking after fish to fill it.

FranknFurter

kewl

do remember with fish tho, u will have to leave the fully set-up tank full of water but no fish for 3 weeks, its called "cycling" and all stores will tell u (usually after u hand over the readies tho lol) .... if u dont, it will go real cloudy as soon as ur fish go in, an in all likleyhood they will die...

maybe breed gerbils? lolol

Blub2k4

Check out rats as a pet, it's like having canine pups except they are smarter.
They are a great fun and affectionate animal, and whereby they count as high maintenance cos of their need for company and their like of human company they are still quite easy to look after in the greater scheme of things. Check it out, if you want a pet that will feed back then these are the ones to go for.

koneko

I would have to voice the same opinion as FrankNFurter, do research! No matter what pet you go for, read up, for ages, before you get one. Get everything ready. Make sure you want it and that you know enough about the animal.

I'd recommend a rodent or similar animal aswell. A hamster is nice and easy to start with, but can be kind of boring. Guinea pigs and rabbits are very cute, require a little more maintenance and bigger housing (runs), but they're bigger. Rats are great pets. A lot of people are put off by the tail and the reputation they have, but fancy rats (pets) are great animals, very social and friendly, and you can train them. They're like tiny dogs.

Dyr

FranknFurter wrote:

ok,
First off, IMHO, no pet should be considered a "hobby".....if you want a hobby, collect antiques, train sets, or stamps.

a pet (pun!! me so funny!)) bugbear of mine

definitions of hobby:

"An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure"

"a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation."


therefor, keeping fish or reptiles in a tank is a hobby for most people. I know some people can be a bit precious about their hobbies and dont like to think of them as "hobbies". I used to get snooty about someone I trained with, who called our martial art a hobby until i realised thats exactly what it is

Bottle_of_Smoke

Blub2k4 wrote:

Check out rats as a pet, it's like having canine pups except they are smarter.
They are a great fun and affectionate animal, and whereby they count as high maintenance cos of their need for company and their like of human company they are still quite easy to look after in the greater scheme of things. Check it out, if you want a pet that will feed back then these are the ones to go for.

all very true but you didn't mention they have no control over their bladders

Frankieboy

ya man you just put me way of rats. Thanks for the warning.

Blub2k4

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote:

all very true but you didn't mention they have no control over their bladders

That is not completely true, they do have control they just dont tend to excercise it and they like to scent mark their territory, they do tend to take litter training but unfortunately only for solids and do tend to pee where they feel like. If something like this were to bother you then fair enough get a sterile animal in a tank, not half as much fun if you ask me.

elf-boy

Get a snake,GET A SNAKE.

Nala

I think you should start with an aquarium of goldfish. They are quite hardy, their food is available in every supermarket, and they are easy to obtain. They don't require heating, which is one less thing to worry about. They come in all shapes and sizes too!
Google "shubunkin", "oranda" and "fantail".

Argos do a lovely hexagon fish tank(it's the one I have) it comes with the filter, air pump and light, goldfish food, as well as a small amount of gravel and a plastic plant. It's only €48 or so, which is a fraction of what you'd pay in a petshop. All you have to do is add water and a couple of fish.
Mine is home to a redcap oranda and a Sarasa comet.

Just don't get a goldfish bowl, they're bad news. The fish seem to hate them as well, they just stay in the same place. Put them in a tank and they swim around like they should!