New venture.

[esoxlucius]

Hi guys, I haven't been active for a while, just logging in once in a while to browse, but rarely taking part in any conversations.

That isn't going to change much really but I thought it was worth mentioning a development which is unfolding and should come to fruition during the next couple of months.

For those of you who got to know me over the years you will be aware that I am getting rid of my fibreglass tank, and all the fish too.

I have a home for all the fish (a fish store about an hour away from me who will take the fish as and when I'm ready), and a home for the tank too. However, the guy who's taking the tank is experiencing a few delays at his end with his proposed house move.

I've had a chat with him, and a chat with my wife too, and we have agreed to keep the tank for a while longer, while he is fully moved and settled into his new home.

Now for the exciting bit! I've made it quite clear in many threads over the years of my love for the European Perch, and a desire one day to keep them in an aquarium. Well this latest news means I have a window, maybe a couple of years, to make my dream come true.

My plan, in a nutshell, is to donate all my tropical fish to the fish store over the next few weeks, take all the heaters out of my tank, and stock it with juvenile perch. Perch are very common in a number of local waterways so I'll be catching them myself.

I'll report back once in a while with pictures and videos to document my journey with them.

Hope you are all well,

Esox.

 

[wednesday13]

Always wanted to keep some “real” perch as well, there illegal of course over here. Sounds like a great way to stay in for a while longer. Happy to hear ur stickin around … Do u dare and throw in, say, an esox lol…

 

[esoxlucius]

Always wanted to keep some “real” perch as well, there illegal of course over here. Sounds like a great way to stay in for a while longer. Happy to hear ur stickin around … Do u dare and throw in, say, an esox lol…

Absolutely no pike, lol. They're way too greedy and even though I could easily get a tiny one, the risk of it choking to death on my beloved perch is a risk I'd rather avoid.

 

[wednesday13]

Absolutely no pike, lol. They're way too greedy and even though I could easily get a tiny one, the risk of it choking to death on my beloved perch is a risk I'd rather avoid.

Out of all the fish ive kept from around the globe, pike prob have the fastest metabolism. There fun to about 12” then they get pretty hard to keep full for longer than a day so i don’t blame ya lol…

 

[jjohnwm]

The prodigal son returns! Good to see you back on MFK. And really nice to hear that you are finally moving on a perch tank. You've been fantasizing and threatening and dancing around the idea of keeping your favourite fish ever since I've been a member here, and likely long before that. Terrific idea to do it now!

I'm picturing the guy who is taking on your tank spending the next year or two moving into his house, getting a fishroom all planned and built and set up, all based upon the idea of your tank as a focal point. He finally contacts you sometime in 2027, with the empty spot ready to go, a truck hired, buddies conned into helping, maybe even a filtration system and sump all in place...at which point you say "Hmmm....nah...I think I'm gonna keep it!"

 

[esoxlucius]

The prodigal son returns! Good to see you back on MFK. And really nice to hear that you are finally moving on a perch tank. You've been fantasizing and threatening and dancing around the idea of keeping your favourite fish ever since I've been a member here, and likely long before that. Terrific idea to do it now!

I'm picturing the guy who is taking on your tank spending the next year or two moving into his house, getting a fishroom all planned and built and set up, all based upon the idea of your tank as a focal point. He finally contacts you sometime in 2027, with the empty spot ready to go, a truck hired, buddies conned into helping, maybe even a filtration system and sump all in place...at which point you say "Hmmm....nah...I think I'm gonna keep it!"

No, this perch thing really is a relatively short term endeavour, just to fill a gap which has presented itself.

I was half expecting delays at his end because that's how house moving is, all sorts of curve balls can be thrust upon you.

My plan was to break down the tank this summer whether he could take it on schedule or not. I was then going to securely wrap it and leave it in the back yard until he could take it. Such are my feelings regarding tropical now, I've lost interest completely.

This perch thing really will be the last hooray regarding my time in the hobby, and don't get me wrong, I'm delighted I've got the opportunity.

We have plans in the pipeline for my fish room so even if I did want to be cheeky and ask the wife for a perchy extension, those plans would take priority.

 

[jjohnwm]

No, this perch thing really is a relatively short term endeavour, just to fill a gap which has presented itself.

I was half expecting delays at his end because that's how house moving is, all sorts of curve balls can be thrust upon you.

My plan was to break down the tank this summer whether he could take it on schedule or not. I was then going to securely wrap it and leave it in the back yard until he could take it. Such are my feelings regarding tropical now, I've lost interest completely.

This perch thing really will be the last hooray regarding my time in the hobby, and don't get me wrong, I'm delighted I've got the opportunity.

We have plans in the pipeline for my fish room so even if I did want to be cheeky and ask the wife for a perchy extension, those plans would take priority.

Oh, yeah...sure...you say that now...

 

[danotaylor]

Cool mate. So what is it that you love about euro perch?

 

[esoxlucius]

Cool mate. So what is it that you love about euro perch?

Apart from sticklebacks, minnows and bullheads, perch were the first "proper" fish I caught as a kid. Their blood red fins and bold stripes are striking and their large dorsal fin is just as spiky as their attitude.

I fell in love with these guys and I can't wait to get a small shoal of them for my 360g.

 

[danotaylor]

Great answer. Love it. Looking forward to watching & hearing about your experience!