Do you prefer to get your fish juveniles or full adult?

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I tend to buy my fish while they’re small so I can enjoy more time with them. This also means they stress out more with larger fish and aren’t readily able to defend themselves or their territory. I picked up this Hippo that is roughly the size of a quarter but holds his own and is getting along with everyone. Looking forward to a long time with it!

What does everyone else prefer?

 

[Uncle99]

I stay away from adult as sometimes they are returns because of some issues.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Same. I figured if they are a jerk as a baby they will be a jerk as an adult. If that’s the case baby is cheaper and I feel easier to return of rehome. Plus watching them grow is neat.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Agreed! Adults are often returns at a LFS…

 

[exnisstech]

Puppies and little fish. Love growing them out. With adults you have no way of knowing how old they really are. My hippo was tiny when I got it. The hippo and a yellow tail damsel used to hang out together and the damsel was larger than the hippo so it was fun to watch them together. Mine has been with me for 5 years now and gets along great with all the other tangs.
This it it today. dirty glass and fish won't stop for photos so not a great image.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

Puppies and little fish. Love growing them out. With adults you have no way of knowing how old they really are. My hippo was tiny when I got it. The hippo and a yellow tail damsel used to hang out together and the damsel was larger than the hippo so it was fun to watch them together. Mine has been with me for 5 years now and gets along great with all the other tangs.
This it it today. dirty glass and fish won't stop for photos so not a great image.

Wow! That hippo grew a lot in 5 years! Fingers crossed mine gets as stunning as yours!

 

[Ef4life]

I prefer baby fish, they grow up quick. I bought a baby lawnmower blenny, he was about 3/4” long the smallest I’ve ever seen, the lfs worker said the same. About a year later now he is about 3” long

 

[krollins]

Juveniles are better because adults at fish stores are there because somebody wanted to re-home them(usually because they ate corals or were too aggressive).

 

[littlefoxx]

I tend to buy my fish while they’re small so I can enjoy more time with them. This also means they stress out more with larger fish and aren’t readily able to defend themselves or their territory. I picked up this Hippo that is roughly the size of a quarter but holds his own and is getting along with everyone. Looking forward to a long time with it!

What does everyone else prefer?

Juveniles! Love watching them grow!

 

[kindafun]

I go for juvenile. Also only buying pre-quarantined without my own facility to do quarantining.

 

[littlefoxx]

Puppies and little fish. Love growing them out. With adults you have no way of knowing how old they really are. My hippo was tiny when I got it. The hippo and a yellow tail damsel used to hang out together and the damsel was larger than the hippo so it was fun to watch them together. Mine has been with me for 5 years now and gets along great with all the other tangs.
This it it today. dirty glass and fish won't stop for photos so not a great image.

I love baby hippos! Probably the cutest baby fish ever! Mine is about 2 inches now, got him tiny too

 

[Reefer Matt]

It depends on which tank I put them in. My fowlr is all adult sized fish. Reef tanks get juveniles.

 

[Lohr]

I go for juvenile. Also only buying pre-quarantined without my own facility to do quarantining.

Where do you buy from, finding it hard to find someone who does QT with a good reputation/customer service.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I’ve had very bad luck with the already quarantined places and there’s a couple of the type of fish I have that are wild caught so already larger size. I normally like babies that I can watch grow but I’ve gotten an amazing deal on some larger tangs recently and am extremely happy that I took the chance. A lot do our hobby is based on faith. Love all my fish no matter what size I got them at!

 

[MrGisonni]

Juveniles for my home reef, but I have a place in my heart for those forgotten big boys and girls at the aquarium store. I found a large male Pink Square Anthias that is the most popular fish in my classroom 175 mixed reef. The poor guy was in a medium sized cube at the store.

 

[Cthulukelele]

Watching fish grow up is one of my favorite things about keeping a tank. As they grow up it's a wonderful appearance to watch them grow into their adult look and fill in their personality

 

[LPS Bum]

I try to buy juveniles when possible, or at least sub adults. Sometimes that isn't feasible, the fish don't come in that young or small, or a small species won't be able to hold their own in the aquarium. But younger and smaller whenever possible.

 

[shakacuz]

always juvenile or captive bred(as best as i can since some fish have yet to reproduce in captivity)

 

[duanejon]

I tend to buy my fish while they’re small so I can enjoy more time with them. This also means they stress out more with larger fish and aren’t readily able to defend themselves or their territory. I picked up this Hippo that is roughly the size of a quarter but holds his own and is getting along with everyone. Looking forward to a long time with it!

What does everyone else prefer?

Juveniles for sure for me. They tend to acclimate better to aquarium life. Often times you need a 200 plus gallon tank for some adults . I agree that at times the adults are trading in to the LFS to be rehomed

 

[Mabry]

Wow! That hippo grew a lot in 5 years! Fingers crossed mine gets as stunning as yours!

I previously watched my Hippo outgrow my tank. When that happens, do not make the same costly mistake I made. Move the fish to a much larger system before everything crashes.